Gareth Bale's time at Real Madrid has been difficult to read ever since his then-world record move in 2013.

Supposed to be the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Real legend has managed to hit new heights at a time when Bale has struggled to get in the side under Zinedine Zidane and now all three men are suggesting exits in the same summer.

Bale can hardly look back on his time in Madrid as a failure up to now - he's won four Champions League titles in five years - but he hasn't quite gone on to become the world-beater that was predicted of him when he made the move.

But his two goals in the Champions League final last Saturday shot him back into the limelight, with his first goal, in particular, reminding the world that he's capable of the extraordinary.

And when you're a big club witnessing ability like that, it's music to your ears to hear the player in question declare that he's open to moving on.

“I need to be playing week in week out, and that’s not happened this season for one reason or another," Bale said shortly after the final whistle.

"I had a five- or six-week injury at the start of the season and I’ve been fit ever since so now I have to sit down in the summer and discuss it with my agent and take it from there.”

Long-term suitors Manchester United were immediately linked with a move for the Welshman and their interest certainly seems to be genuine - although they'll only move for Bale if the situation is to their liking.

According to ESPN, United are desperate to avoid a protracted transfer saga over Bale and so Real's immediate blessing will be required for them to chase the player.

We saw last summer, with other clubs, just how damaging it can be to have these things draw out - just look at how long Philippe Coutinho and Virgil van Dijk's deals took, let alone how Manchester City's pursuit of Alexis Sanchez turned out.

And so United would want Real to be open to a sale quickly before it becomes a summer-long issue - Jose Mourinho certainly has other plans, of course.

Things have been complicated further, however, with Zidane leaving Real. Now Bale doesn't know his situation at the club, let alone what happens with Ronaldo.

United might want things settled fast, but this one risks going on for a good while yet.