Gareth Bale is not having the best of times at Real Madrid at the moment.

The Welshman has been plagued by injuries in recent years, which has had an impact on his playing time at Los Blancos.

But, even though he is now fully fit, the former Tottenham man has lost his place in the starting line-up, fuelling rumours that he will be sold in the summer.

Both Manchester United and former club Tottenham are rumoured to be interested, but Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted last month that the 28-year-old still has an important part to play at the club.

"He will always be important in the team and is in the process of getting himself right," Zidane said last month after Bale played just 14 minutes of their La Liga match vs Leganes.

"I see Bale like all of them and I count on all of them. The important thing is that they train well and focused. I want him to be 100 per cent and I do not want to lose him again.

"A lot of things are important and there is a lot also under the surface, but I am sure that he will go on to play an important role."

REPORTS SUGGEST BALE HAS GIVEN UP

But, just a month on from Zidane's encouraging words, it seems as if Bale's situation at the club has gone from bad to worse.

After slipping down the pecking order behind Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio at Real Madrid, Marca report that Bale has 'thrown in the towel' and that 'all he thinks about is for the season to end'.

And even more worryingly, Bale has completely distanced himself from his teammates, and is becoming increasingly attached to his phone in a desperate attempt to pass the time.

The report reads: "It's as if he didn't care and, in fact, since losing his starting spot, Bale has disconnected completely.

"He has never not joined in with the group, but now he has separated from them much more. His best friend has been his mobile phone, in which he takes refuge almost obsessively to pass the time.

"Mobile, mobile and more mobile."

That's just sad. One of the best players in the world just giving up when things aren't going their way is both heartbreaking and shocking.

ZIDANE IS DISENCHANTED

And Zidane is said to have had enough with the 28-year-old, and that he will cash in on the Welshman in the summer.

Marca report: "Zidane isn't happy with his attitude on the pitch, and though he will never say it in public, he is already saying it in private.

"The French coach is disenchanted with him, and he will take advantage of everything he can, as he did with James and Pepe last year."

Bale has had a torrid time of injuries, and one must feel a little sorry for him given how much his playing time has been limited as a result.

But, to see him react in this manner after being dropped to the bench is just really disappointing.