Chelsea are ready to challenge for Gareth Bale if, and when, he becomes available.

Sources close to Real Madrid have told me that the Premier League champions have asked their Spanish counterparts to keep them informed about the Welsh star.

Manchester United have a long-standing interest in Bale and they are perceived as the likely landing spot for the 28-year-old – who is happy with life in Madrid.

Football INDEX Watch – GARETH BALE – At just over £3, looks hugely under-rated on the INDEX

Real are not looking to sell Bale, but they do have targets in mind for next summer – including Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – meaning Bale may not have too much longer as a fist-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Now as well as United, Chelsea are ready to compete for Bale’s signature – if as expected he is up for grabs next summer.

Bookmakers are certainly backing Bale to be on the move next summer and he is just 6/5 to leave Real and Labrokes make it 6/4 he lands in the Premier League again.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Bale has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu for some time and it’s now looking likely he’ll be back in the Premier League in a United shirt next season.”