Former Real Madrid star Linked with Plymouth Argyle Takeover Bid

Former Real Madrid and Wales footballer Gareth Bale is reportedly part of a US-based consortium looking to invest in League One side Plymouth Argyle.

Talks are understood to be in the early stages with the unnamed private equity group, which is exploring a potential takeover of the Devon club.

The move comes just weeks after Plymouth owner Simon Hallett revealed a previously agreed deal to sell a stake in the club had collapsed.

If successful, Bale would follow in the footsteps of ex-Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić, who joined a consortium that took control of Swansea City in November 2024. Modrić acquired a minority share in April 2025 with the goal of boosting the club’s global reach.

The trend of sports stars investing in lower-league football continues to gather pace. NFL legend Tom Brady joined Birmingham City’s ownership group last year, while Wrexham have become a commercial powerhouse under Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Plymouth Argyle, recently relegated from the Championship, are in a period of major transition. The club’s bold move to appoint Wayne Rooney as manager ahead of the 2023–24 season failed to deliver results. Rooney was replaced mid-season by Miron Muslic, who later departed to join German side Schalke.

On 13 June, former Manchester United midfielder and ex-Watford boss Tom Cleverley was named the new manager.

It remains unclear what formal role Bale, who won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and retired in 2023, would play at Argyle if the takeover goes through. The 35-year-old also previously played for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before becoming one of Wales’ most iconic footballers.