With Gareth Bale's future at Real Madrid previously appearing to be over, Carlo Ancelotti seems to have offered the four-time UEFA Champions League winner a lifeline in Spain.
It was confirmed this week that Ancelotti, 61, had decided to accept an offer from his former club after two seasons with Everton in the Premier League.
Speaking about current Los Blancos squad matters in an interview on Wednesday, the veteran Italian seemed to suggest he would be more than willing to give Bale another chance at the LaLiga giants.
"Gareth hasn't played much in the Premier League, but he did score goals," Ancelotti said, according to Sky Sports.
"He was effective in the final games of the season when he played consistently.
"He is coming back, I know him well. If he is motivated to play, he can have a great season. I have no doubt.
"I have a lot of love still for Gareth, Isco, Marcelo… they will have the motivation to show they can still play for Real Madrid."
Bale spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, and is set to return to Spain, where he still has a year remaining on his deal.
The Welshman contributed to an impressive 19 goals in 34 games for the Lilywhites last season, despite perhaps not playing as much football as he would have liked, particularly earlier in the campaign under Jose Mourinho.
