Real Madrid players unhappy with Gareth Bale's wage demands

The Real Madrid dressing room is close to "mutiny" over Gareth Bale's demands for an improved contract from the club, a report has claimed.

Catalan daily Sport says unnamed senior players in the Real squad remain unconvinced by the Welshman's qualities and believe he does not warrant an upgraded €17m-per-year (£14.3m) deal.

Bale has three years left on his contract at Real, with whom he has won two Champions League titles and one Copa del Rey since joining from Tottenham for a then-world record £85m in 2013.

Manchester United have long been linked with a move for the player, who scored 19 goals in 23 league appearances for Madrid last season and also starred with three goals for Wales at Euro 2016.

However, the La Liga club's players are concerned that offering Bale a new contract would create an "unfair distance" between him and the rest of the team, Sport claims.

They also reported to be miffed with the Wales international's "air of grandeur" following recent good performances.

Champions League ambition

Bale said last week that he was motivated to help Real become the first club to defend the Champions League title this season.

"We know the final is in Cardiff and it would be amazing to get there," the ex-Spurs forward was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"I haven't been asked [about Cardiff] yet but the players have had experience of Wales and the weather from the [2014] Super Cup.

"I am sure if we get closer they will be asking."

Another Champions League win would make Bale the most successful Welshman in European Cup history, ahead of ex-Liverpool players Ian Rush and Joey Jones and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

But the 27-year-old insisted that he was not too bothered about achieving personal milestones.

"My aim is to win as many trophies as I can and as many Champions Leagues as I can. That will be the aim again this year," he said.

"Everybody wants to beat Real Madrid, but we know we have a chance to make history again and we will be trying our best to do that.

"It is difficult winning the Champions League and not many people get to say they've won it."