Gareth Bale’s agent has rubbished speculation suggesting the 31-year-old is planning an early retirement after this summer’s European Championship.

Earlier this week it was claimed the Welshman was considering hanging up his boots, with an outlandish pursuit of a golf career even touted.

However, his representative Jonathan Barnett has moved to discredit the rumours. When asked about the reports on talkSPORT, he replied: „Sorry, I don’t speak about rubbish reporting.“

Bale returned to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid at the start of the season and made 34 appearances for the Lilywhites. He contributed 16 goals, an impressive return given Jose Mourinho’s reluctance to play him regularly.

The attacker’s lucrative contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire at the end of next season and speaking after Spurs‘ win at Leicester on the final day, he revealed he has a clear plan for the future.

Bale said: „I know what I’m doing but it will just cause chaos if I say anything. I am not thinking about anything, all I’m concentrating on now is obviously finishing this season off strong.

“We meet up straight away for the Euros and I’m not thinking about anything else other than Wales.”

Both Tottenham and Real Madrid need to appoint new managers. Ryan Mason’s interim spell as Mourinho’s successor in north London has come to an end, while Zinedine Zidane has once again quit Los Blancos. Those appointments could still have a bearing on Bale’s future.

The former Southampton man has proven he can still be incredibly effective at Premier League level despite only starting in 27% of Spurs‘ league games, and if he does successfully negotiate the termination of his contract with Real this summer, he may well end up back in north London.

For the time being, however, there will be no golf and no transfer talk. Wales will be looking to replicate their iconic Euro 2016 showing this summer, with Bale’s side facing Turkey, Italy and Switzerland in Group A.