Gareth Bale never close to leaving Real Madrid, says agent

Anything linking Gareth Bale with a move away from Real Madrid this summer was all talk, as the player's agent confirmed that the Spanish club's record signing was never close to leaving.

Manchester United reportedly attempted to sign Bale at the end of the summer transfer window, but an official bid never arrived.

"He was nowhere near leaving - that was all stupid paper talk," agent Jonathan Barnett said at Soccerex in Manchester, courtesy of Richard Jolly of ESPNFC. "He is very happy at Real Madrid and hopefully he will stay there for the rest of his career."

United is expected to revive its interest in the 26-year-old Welsh international, who moved from Tottenham to Madrid in a reported world-record €100-million deal in 2013, next year.

Bale already has two goals and an assist in his first two La Liga games this season.