The duo were left out of the squad to face Sevilla last weekend with some reports claiming Bale had been dropped, despite the winger having trained as normal all week.

Gareth Bale's agent has described the prospect of the Welshman leaving Real Madrid on loan this month as 'ridiculous' and insisted he will see out his Bernabeu contract.

Brahim Diaz - the former Manchester City forward who refuses to go out on loan - sent Real Madrid into the last-16 of the Spanish Cup with a brace after they suffered a scare.

Real Madrid used to be the club that most frequently broke the transfer record now they are the club who spend the most on what they believe will be the next big thing.

Zinedine Zidane has spoken of his hopes of winning the Copa del Rey after Real Madrid eased into the last 16 with a 3-1 victory at Unionistas de Salamanca.

Gareth Bale impressed on his return to Real Madrid's starting XI as they beat Unionistas de Salamanca 3-1 in the Copa del Rey but was forced off with an ankle injury in the 53rd minute of the game.

We've got a full weekend of LaLiga action ahead, with the league still wide open at both ends of the table. Barcelona and Real Madrid can hardly be separated at this stage of the season.  

With £85.3m from the sale of Gareth Bale burning a big hole in their pockets, Tottenham embarked on a crazy spending spree in the summer of 2013. But what became of their seven signings?

Tottenham and Real Madrid will enter talks on Wednesday over a sensational return for Gareth Bale - but the Wales star would have to agree to a massive pay cut.

Sportsmail understands Spurs have explored the possibility of trying to lure their former player back to north London but the finances attached to the deal mean it is unlikely this month.

Reports emerged on Friday morning that Bale was in talks to return to Spurs but nothing will come of negotiations regarding the 30-year-old in this window.

Tottenham have conceded defeat in their ambitious ploy to bring Gareth Bale back to the club. Sportsmail revealed on Thursday how Spurs had held talks with Real Madrid.

OLIVER HOLT: Andy Holt, the owner of Accrington Stanley has accused big clubs of being like a boa constrictor, squeezing the life out of the teams in the lower leagues of English football.

Bale's (left) agent Jonathan Barnett (inset) insisted there was never any negotiations between Spurs and his client and that the Premier League outfit wouldn't be able to afford his wages.

Gareth Bale made a hasty exit while his team-mates were still playing in their 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad on Thursday night. Zinedine Zidane's side crashed out of the Copa del Rey at the Bernebeu.

Gareth Bale is determined to see out the final two years of his Real Madrid contract, according to the player's agent Jonathan Barnett.

Gareth Bale's agent has defended his Welsh charge after Real Madrid fans were angered by the winger leaving the Bernabeu with 10 minutes to go during their 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad. 

Gareth Bale is back in the Real Madrid squad for a La Liga game for the first time in over a month after being included for Sunday's match at Osasuna.

The Wales international appeared set to depart Real Madrid in the summer, only for the club to reject the big money bid despite Zinedine Zidane's willingness to allow Bale to leave.

Bale, who has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this season, has been recalled this weekend and Zidane dismissed ongoing speculation about the pair's relationship.

Zinedine Zidane says that Real Madrid will count on Gareth Bale during the final months of the season after the Welsh forward started in the 4-1 win at Osasuna on Sunday.

PETE JENSON AT EL SADAR STADIUM: Zinedine Zidane's side knew this was a potential slip-up but turned an awkward away fixture against battling Osasuna into a routine win.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was sent home from training with gastroenteritis after concerns that the bug could spread. Luka Jovic has also been told to stay away before Saturday's game at Levante.

Gareth Bale has been omitted from Real Madrid's squad to face Levante on Saturday, with the forward suffering with gastroenteritis. Bale was sent home from training on Wednesday.

The Spanish giants are looking to sell Gareth Bale in the summer and are hoping they can replace the Welsh winger with one of Europe's top forwards as they look to rebuild their side.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Having played no part in the win that put Real back in control of their LaLiga fate it seemed Bale was in no mood to share the celebratory mood sweeping the squad.

The football season faces an uncertain future after the outbreak of the coronavirus, but Real Madrid appear to unperturbed as they make preparations for the summer.

PETER CROUCH: The former England striker answers your questions on a range of football topics as part of a new weekly series on Sportsmail which will ensure you still get your football fix.

Zidane is reported to have a fractious relationship with Bale and attempted to force him out the club last summer - something the player felt was 'professional abuse'.

Gareth Bale has made the most of his time in lockdown, with the Real Madrid star turning attention to his beloved golf and pulling off an impressive trick shot at his home.

Zinedine Zidane is looking to sell five of his Real Madrid stars in order to lay the foundations for a bold spree of signings as Los Blancos look to ring the changes this summer transfer window.

Real Madrid believe pay cuts for their highest earners will become 'inevitable' as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Zidane was openly willing to let the Welsh winger leave the Bernabeu in the summer and a move to the Chinese Super League almost came to fruition before it collapsed.

The Italian coach is keen to bridge his side's gap to the Premier League juggernauts and believes the Real Madrid outcasts are a step in the right direction. Los Blancos are willing to entertain offers.

PETE JENSON: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane will have plenty of decisions to make when this season finishes. From trimming a bloated squad to selling Gareth Bale, he has a lot of work to do.

Zinedine Zidane has so many young players out on loan that if everyone returns at the end of this season there will 37 players at his disposal. Sportsmail look at some of those who might go.

According to Marca, boss Zinedine Zidane is keen to offload the pairing and will not prevent them from securing transfers. Both have struggled with poor form and injury woes this season.

James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez, Mariano Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola, Alphone Areola and Nacho Fernandez will also be shipped out. Zinedine Zidane is hoping to raise £105million.

Although Gareth Bale would likely draw a hefty sum, Real Madrid reportedly want to hang on to him for now as they make preparations for a season without a major acquisition.

Bale became one of the world's best wingers in north London before leaving Spurs for the Bernabeu in the summer of 2013 for what was then a world-record transfer of £86million.

The Magpies are close to finalising a £300million takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium which is backed by the country's public investment fund.

The Premier League club are nearing a change of ownership after a £300million bid by a Saudi Arabia-lead consortium was accepted by controversial owner Mike Ashley.

EXCLUSIVE BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA: The latest graduate of Southampton's famed academy, Will Smallbone will not forget 2020 in a hurry after his dream, goal-scoring full debut in the FA Cup.

Comolli has claimed a select few of Europe's biggest clubs will be able to 'sweep the transfer market' this summer and buy some of the hottest prospects for heavily discounted fees.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones faces some of the toughest decisions of his coaching career on Monday when he names his World Cup squad. He will never forget the calls he makes.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England missed out on the scoreboard in Cardiff - and they missed a huge learning opportunity. What did they gain from the match? Not much. What did they learn? Not much.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: This was a real statement win from England and Twickenham was buzzing as the crowd realised they have a team who can cause real damage at the World Cup.

The 2019 World Cup is just a week away and England will be confident going into the tournament. But who is going to win? SIR CLIVE WOODWARD predicts who could win the whole thing.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: So what can we expect in Japan? Well, for me it's an inspired choice and for all sorts of reasons. Japan knows how to organise major tournaments and this will be a triumph.

The Rugby World Cup is just round the corner and Sportsmail has everything you need to know. SIR CLIVE WOODWARD has the lowdown on every team in the tournament in Japan.