Gareth Bale can replace Cristiano Ronaldo and is happy at Real Madrid- Julen Loptegui

The former Tottenham man has scored 70 goals in 126 appearances for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid's new manager Julen Loptegui has said that Gareth Bale can "help fill the void" left by departed talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Welshman has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu outfit for the past few seasons after failing to hold down a regular first-team spot, due to recurring injuries. But, now everything could change for the Southampton academy graduate, after Ronaldo's £99m transfer to Juventus. After his departure, Bale could become the star man in the La Liga outfit's attacking lineup.

Under Zinedine Zidane, the 29-year old was a bench player last season, but under Loptegui he could be his team's go-to man.

"Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid," Lopetegui said. "Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the main players in the recent history of Real Madrid. He expressed a desire to leave and we allowed him to. Gareth Bale is a magnificent player, with so many qualities. He can help fill the void."

Bale joined Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur for £87m in 2013. Since his arrival, he has won the UEFA Champions League four times. He even scored twice in the 3-1 final victory over Liverpool in May 2018 to become his team's saviour.

ALSO READ:

Jose Mourinho hopeful of one more signing before transfer window slams shut

I thought it was impossible- Chiellini on Ronaldo's Juventus move

Rooney and Ibrahimovic shine in MLS over the weekend

Before his side's International Champions Cup loss to Manchester United, he rejected the speculation that Bale could move to a Premier League club in this transfer window.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The 51-year old said, "I don't want to talk about hypothetical situations. Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to show his talent. He is with the team. He is happy and aligned with our goals. It is the start of an exciting path for us."

The former Barcelona goalkeeper was fired from his Spain job on 13th June 2018, after it was announced a day before that he would take over as the manager of Real Madrid on a three-year contract after the World Cup.