Gareth Bale stuns nation with bid to buy football team close to his heart

Gareth Bale has confirmed his role in leading a consortium with the aim of purchasing Cardiff City, expressing his desire to elevate his boyhood club back to the Premier League.

The Welsh football icon shared his grand vision while attending the premiere of F1 The Movie, marking the first time he's spoken publicly about his intentions to acquire the Bluebirds.

It emerged last week through Wales Online that Bale's consortium had made an offer to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, which was turned down. Since then, speculation has been rife that Bale's public association with the bid could signal that another attempt is in the pipeline.

Bale, who hung up his boots earlier this year after a spell at LAFC, remains optimistic about the consortium's chances of striking a deal. "We are interested in getting Cardiff," Bale declared.

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He said: "It's my home club, it's where I grew up and my uncle [Chris Pike] used to play for them. To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true.

"It's a club close to my heart. It's where I grew up and I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs.

"I know how amazing the Welsh fans and Cardiff fans are. It would be amazing to try and do something together."

Gareth Bale has hinted at future involvement with Cardiff City, saying: "We are trying to engage with Cardiff and more news will come out on that in the future but hopefully we can get something done."

The Welsh football legend's interest in Cardiff follows his ex-Real Madrid and Tottenham colleague Luka Modrić's becoming a co-owner of Swansea.

Previously, there were whispers of Bale potentially investing in Plymouth Argyle, but that prospect seems to have fizzled out.

Cardiff, who were recently demoted to League One for the first time since 2003, have now welcomed Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach.

Bale, a towering figure in Welsh football, boasts a record 111 caps for his country and stands as the top scorer with 41 goals. His illustrious playing days included hoisting the Champions League trophy multiple times with Real Madrid and propelling Wales to two Euros and their first World Cup appearance since 1958.

Now retired from the pitch, Bale is looking to leave a legacy beyond his playing career, potentially starting with Cardiff City, the place where his remarkable journey kicked off.