Gareth Bale 'demands £750,000 a week'

Gareth Bale is reportedly demanding wages of £750,000 a week in order to sign a new contract with Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old is thought to have recently agreed terms on a new six-year deal worth £525,000 a week before tax, but according to The Times, the Welshman is now seeking a further pay rise.

The new demand - equivalent to £39m a year before tax - would see Bale match the proposed new salary for teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also in the process of negotiating fresh terms with the Spanish giants.

Bale's new contract would come with a release clause of £420m, a move designed to repel continuing interest in the striker from the likes of Manchester United.

Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi is currently the world's highest-paid footballer, with a salary of £18m a year after tax.