Gareth Bale and Real Madrid in final training session before transfer window opens - in pictures

Wales forward has upset Real fans with Tottenham and Manchester United among the clubs to show interest

Real Madrid players at the public training session. AFP

Gareth Bale attends the open training session at the Alfredo Di Stefano sports complex in Madrid amid more specualtion as the transfer window opens on january 1. EPA

Real Madrid's players, including Gareth Bale, back row centre, during a public training session. AFP

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale puts his shoes on during a public training session at the Ciudad Real Madrid training ground in Valdebebas, Madrid, on December 30, 2019. / AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, right, talks with forward Karim Benzema. AFP

Luka Jovic, centre, with teammates. AFP

Zinedine Zidane, centre, talks to his Real Madrid squad. AFP

Left to right: Sergio Ramos, Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal. AFP

Real Madrid players at the public training session. AFP

Real Madrid players at the public training session. AFP

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, right, during training. AFP

Real Madrid players at the public training session. AFP

Fans at the public training session. AFP

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane talks to his players. AFP

Real Madrid's James Rogriquez. AFP

Left to right: Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos. AFP

Real Madrid held a public training session on the eve of the January transfer window amid intensifying speculation about Gareth Bale's future.

La Liga resumes at the weekend after the winter break, with Real visiting Getafe and leaders Barcelona going to Espanyol, but it's where Bale will be playing his football that is the subject of most scrutiny as the mid-season market opens on January 1.

The talismanic Wales forward was heavily linked with a move away from Real in the summer, having fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu.

Speculation about his future has intensified since Real fans reacted badly to Bale celebrating his country's Euro 2020 qualification victory over Hungary while stood behind a flag which read "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order".

Manchester United were reportedly keen to secure the 30-year-old's services during Jose Mourinho's tenure, and with the Portuguese manager now at Tottenham, there is the possibility Bale return to north London for a second spell at Spurs.

Reports in Spain suggested Tottenham are willing to offer Christian Eriksen and £25 million (Dh120m) to make the move happen in January.

Real finished 2019 with growing concerns over their attack and trailing Barca by two points.

Zinedine Zidane has faced questions about their scoring slump after they were held 0-0 at home by a tame Athletic Bilbao in their last gamer before the winter break. The poor result at the Bernabeu came after drawing 1-1 at Valencia and 0-0 at Barcelona over the previous week.

“Having had so many chances, we are a bit angry at ourselves, but this is football,” Zidane said.

“In the last three games we have had many scoring chances but few goals. I don’t think it is bad luck or a lack of killer instinct. The important thing is that we are creating chances. We will keep that up and the goals will come.”

The goal drought could prompt Zidane to freshen up his squad, and might tempt him to part with Bale to release funds.