Bale to Liverpool would be “perfect fit”, says Ince

Gareth Bale would be the “perfect fit” for Liverpool, according to former Reds midfielder Paul Ince.

Bale is set to leave Real Madrid this summer, having fallen completely out of favour under Zinedine Zidane.

The Welsh superstar is being tipped to move to China, although many see that as a waste, considering he has only just turned 30.

Liverpool have only signed Sepp van den Berg so far this summer, with supporters keen to see new faces brought in.

Ince feels that Bale would tick all of the boxes, telling BBC Sport that his former club should make a move for him:

My opinion is if Liverpool can afford him, he should go there.

Liverpool’s front three haven’t had much rest before the season – Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have played all over the summer.

Bale can play right, left or central. If I was looking at a team if they could afford him, it would be Liverpool. He needs to re-invent himself as a player and play football week in, week out.

He would have to take a massive wage drop. It can’t be about money for Bale. He has to go to a team who can win things. Liverpool are European champions and they want to make a massive challenge in the league again.

Who else could afford him? Man City maybe, Man United and I don’t think Tottenham would be the right club. I would like to see him at Liverpool. He still has four or five years left. I think he’d be a perfect fit.

For all Bale’s huge talent, it would be a surprise if Liverpool made a bid for him in the coming weeks.

His age and injury problems are obvious stumbling blocks, with Jurgen Klopp famed for signing younger players.

A move to China feels likely as things stand, or a switch to another of Europe’s wealthiest clubs.