Gareth Bale's new Real Madrid contract - announced by the club over the weekend - is believed to have made him the best paidplayer at the club, overtaking veteran superstarCristiano Ronaldo.
TheMirrorare among the outlets reporting that the Wales international will make a jaw-dropping weekly wage of£600,000 before tax, leaving him with around £350,000 to take home each week.
Gareth Bale signs new £18m-a-year deal with Real Madridhttps://t.co/x2sPsZNEYA
The deal is also believed to contain a release clause worth €1bn, effectively ending any side's chances of snatching the Welshman away from the Bernabeu any time soon - even if they could afford to matchhis gargantuan pay packet.
Teammate Ronaldo is currently believed to be taking home around £290,000 each week, but is renegotiating his contract as he angles for a lucrative long-term extension which could see him rise above Bale in the earnings chart once again.
In the meantime though, Bale's new deal signals something of a changing of the guard, a sign that the 27-year-old is seen as the man to lead Los Blancos' attacking line as Ronaldo continues to age.
AS's Cover | "Bale 2022" pic.twitter.com/O0U55iLe5O
The Mirror quoted former Real and Wales manager John Toshack, who said: I see a Real Madrid enjoying Bale at the top of his game for two or three years. I believe Bale will win the Ballon d'Or in his career. In a few years, he will become the leader.�
Real go into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Legia Warsaw on a five-game winning streak, hitting 24 goals in those games after a 4-1 drubbing of Alaves on the weekend.
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