All the signs are pointing to Real Madrid showing Gareth Bale the door this summer

All the signs are pointing towards Gareth Bale being sacrificed by Real Madrid as part of a major rebuilding project this summer.

Spanish sources are suggesting the Welshman is ‘likelier than ever’ to make the move away and is almost certain to leave if Zinedine Zidane remains in charge.

Madrid have had a season to forget in LaLiga as Barcelona are running away with the title in an embarrassment to those in the corridors of power at the Santiago Bernabeu.

President Florentino Perez is ready for a summer overhaul of the playing squad but will need to ship some big names out of the door before splashing the cash.

Newspaper Dario AS claims Bale leads that list of expected departures and the midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain offered a few clues as to why it appears to be all over.

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Bale was benched for the huge Champions League tie and history suggests benching a big name like Bale for a glamour clash is not a good idea for a Real Madrid manager.

Carlo Ancelotti revealed in his book that one of the main reasons he lost his job at Los Blancos was his decision to take Bale off midway through a match with Valencia.

Bale’s demeanour during the European tie with PSG was also telling.

The 28-year-old did not appear in a rush to enter the field when Zidane decided to bring him on and his assistants were forced to try and hurry him on.

He later refused to join his team-mates, led by Sergio Ramos, in saluting the crowd at the final whistle as he gave his captain the cold shoulder.

Bale joined Real Madrid for a world-record transfer fee in 2013 and his time in Spain will be looked back on as a major success.

However, this term the injury-plagued forward has managed to play just 34 per cent of the team’s total game time.

Manchester United have long been linked with a move for the former Tottenham star but Jose Mourinho recently rubbished suggestions he will make further attacking signings.

Spurs are understood to have first option on Bale but appear to have no desire to bring him back for a second spell in London.