AC Milan are interested in signing Gareth Bale when his Real Madrid contract ends this summer.

According to reports in Italy, Milan’s technical director Paolo Maldini has made contact with Bale’s agent.

Despite helping Real to two LaLiga titles, four Champions League victories and countless other trophies, his time in Spain is heading to a bitter end.

Bale spent last term on loan at Tottenham and has featured just five times for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this year.

After firing Wales past Austria with a stunning double in a crucial World Cup play-off last week, the 32-year-old called sections of the Spanish media disgusting.

But his display also showed that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level, something Milan and Maldini have seen.

It is not yet clear if Bale will even sign for a new club with suggestions that he may retire if Wales fail to qualify for November’s World Cup in Qatar.

They are set to face either Scotland or Ukraine in a play-off final in June to decide their fate and if successful, the forward may sign a short-term deal at a club to keep fit.

Milan clearly want to put themselves at the front of the queue if he does opt to extend his playing career.

In other news

Leicester still hope Youri Tielemans will sign a new deal despite Manchester United and Arsenal’s interest, say Team Talk.

Aston Villa will face competition from Newcastle as they try to make Philippe Coutinho’s loan from Barcelona permanent, according to Sport in Spain.

Arsenal and Tottenham are prepared to battle it out for £20m-rated Middlesbrough full-back Djed Spence, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, say the Mirror.