The business lunch between Jonathan Barnett and Real Madrid execs aimed to set the ground rules regarding the Welshman's transfer away from the club.

Gareth Bale's agent may want his client to stay at Real Madrid, but the club has already told him that he needs to find employment opportunities for his client.

According to a report by As, the Welshman's agent had a business lunch with José Angel Sánchez, one of Florentino Pérez's most trusted men. Sánchez is also in charge of the club's finances, which makes him a powerful voice inside the team. The meeting was intended to set the table for what has been the talk of the season: Gareth Bale's exit from the club.

The Spanish newspaper revealed that Bale will not return with Los Blancos for the 2019-20 season, and the club is willing to let the footballer go to whichever team he chooses. All that Bale and Barnett need to do is to present an offer that satisfies the club's demands.

Real Madrid's exec agreed to try and find a club where Bale can keep a similar wage to the one he collects with Los Blancos every month. As of now, the Welshman earns over $3M on a monthly basis, which makes it a bit harder for the club to sell him. Nevertheless, Bayern and Manchester United have shown interest in signing the player, and those clubs can afford to splash cash for Bale if needed.

The club also extended its gratitude towards Bale for his commitment to the club since his arrival in 2013, according to As' report. This gesture seems to pave the way for a smooth exit by the Welshman, who has scored 102 goals in 227 games for Los Blancos. 

So, if things go as planned, Bale could play a key role in Real Madrid's summer transfer window. The player's agent, Jonathan Barnett, claimed yesterday that the thought of leaving Los Blancos has not crossed Bale's mind. Unfortunately for him, it seems that the thought of keeping him around has not crossed Florentino Pérez's mind.