Real Madrid Legend Set To Purchase EFL Club: Everything You Need To Know

It was reported at the start of June that Gareth Bale was leading a consortium to take over recently relegated side Plymouth Argyle. However, it appears that his attention has turned to Cardiff City, with a bid being submitted to take over the south Wales outfit. Here is everything you need to know about the potential deal.

What We Know So Far

The former Real Madrid player is partnering up with a United States investment group, believed to include members of the U.S. based Storch family, and has lodged a bid to buy the Bluebirds. A letter was sent to Cardiff City owner, Vincent Tan, with financial figures said to have been included in the proposal. Tan was made aware of Bale’s interest to buy the club in May, and has rejected the bid. It is believed that the Malaysian owner is reluctant to sell, however the consortium are still interested in the Welsh club and are likely to make a second attempt soon.

🚨 EXCL: Consortium led by Gareth Bale has made approach to buy Cardiff City. 35yo’s group sent letter of intent with financial numbers to #CCFC ownership last month. Proposal rejected but desire remains strong + no Plymouth Argyle interest @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/OobojojTkS

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 20, 2025

Why Is It Happening?

The Wales legend is looking to get himself back into the football frame after his retirement in 2023. With many retired footballers already becoming minority investors in teams, it’s no surprise to see Bale opting for the same route. Former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric is a minority investor in nemesis club Swansea City, with members of the ‘Class of 92’ (such as David Beckham) having a stake in Salford City.

If the 35-year-old can complete the purchase of his boyhood club, it could prove to be another example of a high-profile takeover. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are the most successful case of a superstar takeover, as they have led Wrexham from non-league football to the Championship in just a handful of seasons. Meanwhile, NFL icon Tom Brady has been a minority investor in Birmingham City since 2023.

It may be that Bale has seen this recent success as a chance to get back in on the footballing action, with no club fitting the bill better than Cardiff City.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have officially taken ownership of @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/MpwRDG0enj

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 9, 2021

Former Footballers Who Have Brought Clubs

There have been multiple legends of the game turning to ownership once they have hung up their boots. With their involvement in football changing from being a part of the team on the field, to transforming into a key figure off the pitch, it provides these ex-footballers with a different perspective to the beautiful game. Here are a few of the many names that have invested in clubs over the years.

Ronaldo Nazario

The Brazilian icon is one of the best strikers to have ever played the game, and his involvement in football has continued beyond the pitch. The World Cup winner is owner of Spanish side Real Valladolid and acquired a majority stake in the club in 2018. The ex-Real Madrid player brought a 51% stake in 2018 and since then has increased his ownership to 82%.

However not everything has been plain sailing during his time as club owner, with the team facing promotion to and relegation from La Liga. With poor performances on the pitch as well as fan frustration, Ronaldo faced increasing pressure around his title as majority shareholder. The pressure became too much for the Brazilian as he announced in May that he is going to sell his majority stake in the club, putting an end to his six-year stint with the team.

Despite his failure at owning a football club, Ronaldo had some incredible moments on the pitch. Check out our article to read about one of his most memorable moments.

In 2018 Ronaldo purchased a 51% stake in Valladolid.

Last season, Valladolid were relegated from La Liga.

Ronaldo promised he would bike Camino de Santiago if Valladolid were promoted.

He completed the 310-mile route in four days after Valladolid secured promotion 👏 pic.twitter.com/EWRtphqjLu

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2022

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas has had a far more successful spell than his Brazilian counterpart, with the former Barcelona player taking a significant role within Serie A side Como. Fabregas is a part-owner of the club and is currently the manager of the side. Despite only becoming a minority shareholder in 2022, his journey with Como has been packed with action.

He joined the Italian based side in August 2022 from Monaco on a free transfer, and played one season with the side whilst they were in Serie B. He then retired from football at the end of that season, but became interim coach in November 2023 when manager Moreno Longo was sacked. The Spaniard then became the assistant manager when Osian Roberts was appointed head coach in December 2023.

He managed to lead Como to promotion to Serie A during the 2023/24 season as assistant coach and became manager before the start of the following Serie A season. In their first campaign in Italy’s highest division in 21 years, Fabregas managed to lead Como to an impressive 10th place finish.

🚨🇪🇸 Como president Mirwan Suwarso: “We have a long term project and Cesc Fabregas is crucial part of it. He won’t leave the club”. pic.twitter.com/HE96toqwxH

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2025

David Beckham

One of the most famous examples of an ex-player now owning a club is David Beckham. The former Manchester United player is a co-owner of both Inter Miami and Salford City since his retirement in 2013.

The road to becoming an Inter Miami co-owner began in 2007 when he signed a contract with LA Galaxy. Within the contract it stated that the former Real Madrid player could buy his own MLS franchise for a reduced price of $25m when he retired. Beckham then founded Inter Miami in 2018 with the Miami Beckham United group.

What helped even further to put the club on the world map was the arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023, leading to a transformation in the team’s performance on the pitch. The former Barcelona player helped the club make history when they became the first North Amercian team to beat a European club in a FIFA tournament. They beat Porto 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup thanks to Messi’s extraordinary free kick.

If you want to know who to look out for at the Club World Cup, make sure to check out our article which picks out the best players at the tournament.

Beckham is also a minority owner of League Two side Salford City, alongside teammates from the ‘Class of 92’. The former Manchester United players that hold shares of the club are Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. Beckham brought a 10% stake of the club in 2019, shortly after he became co-owner of Inter Miami.

David Beckham’s home opener as owner of new MLS franchise Inter Miami will be against former club L.A. Galaxy 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/L0BLJRJc0W

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2019