London, Feb 25 (IANS): Jonathan Barnett, agent of Real Madrid Welsh forward Gareth Bale, has dismissed reports that his client will leave Los Blancos next summer, describing the rumours about the international player's possible return to the Premier League as a "rubbish story".

"It's a completely rubbish story made by an irresponsible and totally ill-informed journalist," Barnett told British newspaper The Mirror on Wednesday, reports Efe.

Bale, 26, who became the world's most expensive footballer in 2013 when he moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($109.7 million), has played 17 games with the Spanish club this season in all competitions, in which he scored 13 goals and made 11 assists.

Bale missed the last six matches for Real Madrid due to a muscle injury, while speculation has arisen that he may be sidelined until next Saturday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in week 26 of the competition.