The agent of Gareth Bale has again hit out at critics of the Real Madrid attacker.

The Wales captain is again being linked with a return to the Premier League this week, where Manchester United and Chelsea are keen.

But Jonathan Barnett told the Daily Mail: "The reviews are ridiculous. A player who has won everything with the club deserves more respect. He has won the Champions League four times in five years. He scored some of the most important goals in the club's history. Bale wants to play every game. Do people think he is happy to be on the bench?

"He returns in December and scores a hat trick in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. He was injured in January and comes back and scores a few minutes after coming into play against Espanyol. Then he is booed at the next game. What else can you do?"