Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema 'miss Real Madrid team-building dinner'

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were reportedly the only two Real Madrid players not present for a team-building dinner earlier this week.

The meal is said to have been organised by manager Zinedine Zidane in an attempt to rebuild the fractured morale of his squad.

Spanish outlet Marca suggests that Zidane invited each member of his squad to Asador Donostiarra restaurant in Madrid on Wednesday evening.

Amid strong links of a move away being on the cards this summer, Bale is rumoured to have turned down the invite for reasons unknown, as did Benzema.

The Wales international was also criticised earlier this year for missing a similar bonding session.

Madrid are believed to have slashed their asking price for Bale to £60m, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur the three candidates in the running to sign him.