Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly given Gareth Bale his full backing for the coming season.

The Welsh winger had been strongly linked with a move away after comments made by head coach Zinedine Zidane, coupled with the Frenchman dropping Bale towards the end of last season.

The 30-year-old was thought to be close to a move to the Chinese Super League before the deal collapsed and he now looks likely to stay in the Spanish capital.

Perez has expressed his confidence that Bale can be a key figure for Los Blancos this season, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, according to the Daily Mail.

The former Tottenham Hotspur forward was restored to the starting lineup by Zidane for his side's opening La Liga game against Celta Vigo, grabbing an assist for Karim Benzema's opening goal in an eventual 3-1 win.

Zidane, too, appears to have changed his stance on the forward and confirmed that the Welshman would remain in the Spanish capital.