Gareth Bale’s agent has said there is no guarantee the Wales forward will leave Real Madrid in the January transfer window despite the fact he is “not ecstatic” at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale has endured an uneasy relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane since the Frenchman returned to the club earlier this year. After falling out of favour towards the end of last season, a proposed move to China fell through in the summer.

The 30-year-old has featured for Real in the period since, but he has been criticised by fans and the Spanish press over his commitment to the club.

Asked if he was happy in Madrid, Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett told BBC Euro Leagues podcast: “He’s not ecstatic. (But) he has got a contract and as long as he is a Real Madrid player he will play at 100 per cent – and do very well.

“The facts and figures prove if he is on the field for Real Madrid they have a better chance of winning. A 100 per cent Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world. The coach should be happy and honoured he is on the pitch for him.”

Barnett emphasised that Bale had "never asked to leave," and that “as long as (Real) want him, there's not much anyone can do about it."

“There’s no guarantee he is leaving,” he explained. “If the right opportunity came along for him and it’s something he wants to do we have to have a chat with the president of Real Madrid (Florentino Perez) and see where we are.”

Bale was booed by Real fans last month after he was pictured with a banner that read “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order” — a reference to his widely reported nickname at Real being “The Golfer” given his interest in the sport — as Wales qualified for Euro 2020 .

Addressing the the banner, Barnett said it was directed “only to the media” because they had been “writing very infantile and stupid stories from people that do not know him.”

“The truth is he has done fantastically for Real Madrid in the years he has been there and helped them win so much,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine … why the crowd react the way they do to him and listen to people that say things in the press.

“People say ‘it would be better if he speaks the language.’ He speaks fluent Spanish and people write things that are complete rubbish.

“Gareth himself doesn’t really like speaking to the press and that’s his prerogative. He is not an entertainer as such, he’s a football player. He speaks on the field and his results have been amazing. People should realise that and start applauding him for what he is achieving.”

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