Report: Bale set for Ronaldo-level contract at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale is apparently deep in negotiations with Real Madrid over a contract which will lift him into the same salary bracket as teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Guardian's David Hynter understands the talks are long-winded, but this isn't surprising given the vast sums on the table and the legalities surrounding the small print.

One of the clauses could be a buyout reaching a gigantic €500m. It's common to have large minimum fees attached to players' contracts in Spanish football, with president Florentino Perez previously revealing that Ronaldo's kicker stands at €1bn.

Bale's current deal runs until 2019 and sees him take home a weekly wage of £300,000. The expected handshake between the Welshman's representatives and the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy will see the forward join an elite group of players in earnings, and likely keep him in the Spanish capital for a further six or seven years.

It's hoped the 27-year-old will succeed Ronaldo, 31, as Los Blancos' poster boy, when the Portuguese star eventually hangs up his boots or leaves the current Champions League holder.

Real Madrid hosts Sporting Lisbon to begin its defence of the European crown on Wednesday.