Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has remained coy over the future of Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu next term. The Wales international has struggled to take up the responsibility of leading the attack since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, and this has generated plenty of frustration among the supporters, who have jeered him on many occasions.

Speaking after the Eibar game, Zidane refused to rule out the potential sale of Bale when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year. He further added that the team were not impressed with the whistles from the crowd, given they are giving the best to secure the runner-up position for the league campaign.

He said: “We will see [whether Bale will still be at the club next season]. Gareth is a Real Madrid player with two years left on his contract. We’re not happy about the whistles, but the public comes to see their team do well. There was a reaction and I’m left with that, the public knows that the season is over, that we play to try and finish second.”

Los Blancos suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Valencia on the road in midweek and they appeared on course for another loss after going 1-0 down to Eibar at the halfway stage of the weekend encounter at the Bernabeu. However, they made a strong comeback with a brace from the in-form Karim Benzema and they now have a good chance of catching up on Atletico Madrid for the runner-up spot.

Atleti were five points ahead of Los Blancos before the weekend’s round of fixtures, but the deficit has been cut down to two after the former suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona. Real Madrid are scheduled to face Leganes on the road during the forthcoming league game.