TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has said that Gareth Bale should join Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest this summer.

Bale is set to leave Real Madrid this summer when his current contract at the Bernabeu expires.

With Wales qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, though, the Welshman will be looking for a new club so that he can stay fit and sharp ahead of the winter tournament.

The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to his hometown club Cardiff City ahead of the summer window, but Cascarino appears to  believe that there is a better option out there than a move down to the Championship.

"Nottingham Forest," Cascarino told talkSPORT, via NottinghamshireLive, when asked where he thought Bale should go this summer.

"Really high tempo type of game.

"I think, obviously, the way they play is very much based on [being able to] counter-attack really quickly.

"I would think that would be a really good opportunity for him. Or any of the teams coming up.

"I don't think he's a top six player, I don't see that."

Bale made just seven appearances for Real Madrid throughout the 2021/22 season.

The 32-year-old, however, captained Wales to a 1-0 victory over Ukraine on Sunday, sending the country to their first World Cup in 64 years.

The Verdict

Whilst Bale is still undoubtedly a Premier League quality footballer, I'm not sure that this would be the right move for the Welshman.

We have seen when on loan at Spurs last season that if he isn't going to be enjoying his time, he will not perform on the pitch, and I'm not sure joining a club that will be fighting for survival next campaign is the wisest move.

At least at Cardiff, although a drop down in levels, it is his hometown club and that sort of incentive is there to perform.

Ultimately, Bale's next steps will be about keeping fit and getting ready for the World Cup in the winter, so the level he is playing at likely will not bother him.