Gareth Bale has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid after failing to nail down a starting role under the tutelage of Zidane last season, but with the French coach resigning and Julen Lopetegui taking up his place, the Welshman is now considered to be the most important player by the Spaniard.

With Ronaldo joining Serie A giants Juventus this summer, Lopetegui is now tipping the pacy winger to fill the void the Portuguese ace left behind at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid," Lopetegui said.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the main players in the recent history of Real Madrid. He expressed a desire to leave and we allowed him to. "Gareth Bale is a magnificent player, with so many qualities. He can help fill the void."

Since joining the Los Blancos from Tottenham in 2013 for a fee around the region of £87m, he has went on to win the UEFA Champions League four times, scoring in the first final against Atletico Madrid in 2014 and also twice in the 3-1 final victory over Liverpool in May.

Lopetegui said Bale had "worked extremely well" with France forward Karim Benzema in training, adding: "If this is the squad I have at start of season I will be a happy man."

Real Madrid takes on Manchester United in their first pre-season game in Miami; speaking at a news conference before the game, he dismissed talk of a possible move to the Premier League club for Bale.

"I don't walk to talk about hypothetical situations," said the former Spain boss.

"Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to show his talent. He is with the team. He is happy and aligned with our goals. It is the start of an exciting path for us."

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