Is Crystal Palace making a play for Gareth Bale?
No, probably not.
But Crystal Palace are staying “tight-lipped” after a Bale Instagram post stirred up some (wishful and not entirely serious) rumours this morning.
- READ: Whitecaps FC to host Crystal Palace on July 19
- READ: How Carl Robinson helped guide Wales' "golden generation"
Bale posted a picture with his Welsh teammates Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley, and Jonathan Williams, who all play for Crystal Palace. As you could imagine, the picture got Palace supporters going on Twitter and the club’s official account even chimed in.
In all seriousness, Bales and the Palace trio are set to play in one of the biggest matches of their careers – if not the biggest – when Wales face rival England on Thursday morning at Euro 2016 (6 a.m. PT on TSN). Wales sit atop Group B after defeating Slovakia 2-1 in their tournament opener.
Crystal Palace players had a hand in both goals.
Williams drew the foul that led to Bale’s spectacular free kick, while Ledley played the ball to Aaron Ramsey in the build-up to Hal Robson-Kanu’s game-winner. It was a remarkable story for Ledley, who entered the match as a second-half substitute just a month after breaking his leg.
“I'm 100% fit but Joe Ledley's is an incredible story,” Bale was quoted as saying in the Croydon Advertiser. “I was devastated when I heard the news so I can't understand what he was like. To come back in such a short period of time was incredible and a great achievement from him. Hopefully he can be a part of what we're doing.”
Hennessey, meanwhile, was forced to sit out Wales’ opener due to a back spasm but could return for Thursday’s match vs. England.
Whitecaps FC host Crystal Palace on July 19 at BC Place. Click here for more.
