Bale eyes football club investment via new fund

Gareth Bale won 111 caps for Wales, scoring 41 goals [Getty Images] Gareth Bale has reiterated his desire to buy a football club after launching a new sports investment fund and has refused to rule out making a fresh move for Cardiff City. The former Real Madrid and Wales star was frustrated last summer when Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan rejected an offer from the investment group Bale was working with to take control of his hometown club. Bale, who retired from playing in January 2023, has now formed a sports fund with American private equity firm Juggernaut Capital, which plans to invest in teams and leagues in both men's and women's sports. "It's about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take," Bale told US media organisation Front Office Sports. "That doesn't mean Cardiff is off the table. But I think now we have a bit of time, and will look around." Bale more 'complete' than Ronaldo - Casemiro Bale says secret back injury ended his career Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman responded to takeover speculation last August by saying Tan was not interested in selling the club. Since Bale's initial interest in Cardiff 12 months ago, the Bluebirds have won promotion back to the Championship under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy. Asked if Cardiff would be at the top of his list when it comes to purchasing a club, Bale responded: "Of course, it's where I was born. It's close to my heart. It's in my home country. "For sure, there's those heartstrings that pull there. But again, you also have to look at the business side and what's right to grow the club, to get it at the right price. "You have to look at it with a business brain, not just as a vanity project. So it's something that's just got to fit with everything. "We're in no rush and we want to find the right club and the right team to grow that club and include the fans and the community and make it a real success." Bale hung up his boots two months after featuring for Wales at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Post-retirement, the Cardiff-born star has been a regular pundit on TV and has continued to pursue his hobby of playing golf.