Clement- Bale start not guaranteed

Madrid's summer-long pursuit of Bale was finally concluded on Monday when the Wales international was officially presented by the nine-time European champions after passing his medical and signing a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

The transfer is understood to be worth 100million euros (?85.3million), surpassing the ?80million fee Madrid paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

However, that does not necessarily mean Bale is assured of a place in Carlo Ancelotti's side, Clement has said.

"There's a lot of competition for places - no-one will be guaranteed anything," Englishman Clement told BBC Sport.

"Coach Carlo Ancelotti has a clear idea how to use him but things can change."

The prospect of Bale lining up alongside the prolific Ronaldo is a mouth-watering one for Madrid fans, but it remains to be seen just how Ancelotti will choose to utilise the Welshman, who could make his debut for his new club against Villarreal on September 14 when the Primera Division resumes after the international break.

Clement, who worked alongside Ancelotti at Chelsea and Paris St Germain, added: "Carlo is flexible enough to use Gareth and other players in different capacities

"At Southampton, Bale played at left-back which he also did at Spurs where he became a more left-sided player.

"He recently became more central. He's got that versatility.

Source: PA

Source: PA

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