Zinedine Zidane returns to Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos ready for Arsenal loan | Soccer

Zinedine Zidane denied disrespecting Gareth Bale and claimed that the Welsh striker had been left out against Bayern Munich because he did not want to play.

"I did not disrespect anyone," said the Real Madrid head coach at a press conference before the friendly match against Arsenal in Washington. "The club is busy with his departure. Period."

"The other day [against Bayern]Gareth did not play because he did not want to, "added Zidane. "He said the club was trying to negotiate his departure and that he did not want to play because of that."

After the 3-1 defeat at Bayern on Saturday, Zidane announced that Bale would leave the club. "I do not know if in 24 or 48 hours, but it will change. And it's good for everyone … if it's tomorrow, it's better. " This prompted the player's agent, Jonathan Barnett, to qualify the coach as "disgrace".

Zidane added Monday that "Bale has not asked not to play tomorrow – until now" and repeated that the 30-year-old will leave the club. "[His] the situation is known to all and will not change. The club will do what they have to do with it. "

The most likely route from Bale, far from Bernabéu, remains a transfer to a Super League club in China. His options were limited by his age, his potential transfer costs and his salary – he currently has 17 million euros (15.25 million pounds sterling) a year after tax and it is unlikely he accepts a reduction in salary.

Dani Ceballos is another player on the verge of leaving Real Madrid, Arsenal being on the verge of concluding a loan agreement for the Spanish midfielder. Unai Emery hinted that the move was almost over at his pre-match press conference for Tuesday's match.

"We talked about the possibility of recruiting a player on loan," said Emery. "Ceballos is a very good player. I know him since the Real Betis and Real Madrid. "

The Arsenal coach added that he watched Ceballos during Spain's U21 Euro triumph this summer and could play in a central role or in an offensive midfielder.

Arsenal should also complete the signing of St. Stephen's defender, William Saliba, in the amount of £ 27 million, the central back returning to France.