Gareth Bale 'is preparing to RETIRE from professional football after Euro 2020'

Gareth Bale could be considering the sensational step of walking away from football altogether after Euro 2020.

The Wales star, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid, has refused to be drawn on talk of his future, insisting in recent days that his focus is firmly on the job ahead for his country at the European Championships.

The 31-year-old has hinted that he has his plan for this summer mapped out already, but suggested that he would not divulge the information just yet, as it would 'cause chaos'.

However, ABC in Spain are now suggesting that Bale is now plotting to bring a swift end to his illustrious career by negotiating the end of his contract with Real and walking away from the sport altogether.

The Spanish paper reports that the superstar has held discussions with his family over the move to end his playing days and that he could be willing to give up as much as half of his final year's salary in a bid to terminate his deal and walk away from the Spanish capital.

Bale currently earns £15.1m-a-year from his deal with the Spanish giants, but could be willing to accept a pay-off of just £7.5m to ensure he can walk away from his £600,000-a-week contract.

Tottenham have made no secret of their desire to extend his loan move after he bagged 16 goals during his temporary return to the club this season, however the player has remained coy over suggestions of prolonging his stay, insisting that he was always due to head back to Spain.

His move away from Madrid was forced by a deteriorating relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane.

Despite his key role in Champions League successes - including a memorable double in the final against Liverpool in 2018 - Bale found himself on the fringes under the Frenchman and was close to completing a permanent move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning in 2019.

Bale's representatives have been contacted by Sportsmail for comment.