Gareth Bale tipped to feature against Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town next season

Gareth Bale is being tipped to complete a shock switch to the Championship next season. The 32-year-old will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June.

His focus is currently on trying to lead Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 but following the conclusion of their play-off final he will then decide his next move. And he could be playing against Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town!

Born in Cardiff and a regular visitor to his hometown where his family remain, his odds on an emotional homecoming have been slashed to 3/10. Although linked with a return to Tottenham and a move to the MLS in the US, it's talk of a switch to Cardiff that won't go away.

He works closely with the Football Association of Wales' fitness and medical staff, who share a training base with Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan. Wales boss and former Sheffield United captain Robert Page believes it's a move that 'makes sense'.

"It ticks all the boxes. Ultimately, it's Gareth's decision and Cardiff City's," he told the BBC.

"And I think he's right to say: 'Let's throw full focus on to the 5th' [June, Wales' World Cup play-off]. Let's get there first and have that discussion.

"We can carry on talking about it and guess and have our opinion on it, and it does make sense. It makes a lot of sense. He can base himself at a training ground he's familiar with."

It would be one of the most unlikely transfer stories of the summer. Currently on £600,000 a week at the Spanish giants, he would need to take a drastic cut but having played at the highest level for most of his career, Bale could bring the curtain down by coming home.

Bookmakers Betfair have installed Cardiff as favourites at 3/10, ahead of a move to the MLS at 6/1.