Tottenham worry that Gareth Bale is becoming unsettled by Real Madrid's efforts to lure him to Spain
Tottenham worry that Gareth Bale is becoming unsettled by Real Madrid's efforts to lure him to Spain
Club fears that Madrid's public courting of Bale will convince him he wants out PLUS Roberto Soldado says he wants to join Spurs
Head turner: Will Real Madrid convince the Welshman he wants to leave Spurs?
Ian Walton
Spurs fear Gareth Bale’s head has been turned by Real Madrid.
And that could spark a huge bidding war between the Spanish giants and Manchester United who are also desperate to land the £85million-rated winger.
Tottenham
last night refused to confirm that Real have finally made a straight cash bid for the 24-year-old Welshman. The north Londoners have steadfastly maintained that Bale is not for sale and continue to do so.
But
they are concerned that the four-time Player of the Year appears to have
been unsettled by Real’s sustained campaign to land him.
Last
season Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas maintained he had been told by the
club’s board that Bale would not be leaving the club this summer.
It
is a stance the former Chelsea manager has maintained ever since.
Speaking after Tottenham’s Asia trophy defeat to Sunderland yesterday,
he said wearily: “I don’t want to be repeating myself [on this
situation].”
“I can’t make any more comments because I made them at the press conference before this game.”
But
there is anxiety at Spurs over the Bale situation even though the winger
is far more low maintenance than Luka Modric who forced a move 12
months ago.
Spurs want Bale
to commit to a new deal to strengthen their hand next year when they would, reluctantly, be prepared to let him go.
While the former Southampton star appeared set to do so shortly after the end of the season, that deal still remains unsigned.
Appropriately enough, Bale missed yesterday’s 3-1 defeat to Sunderland with a buttock injury.
Real
mouthpiece, the Spanish daily Marca, described the injury as
“mysterious” on their front page yesterday and hinted Bale had been
omitted in readiness for a move.
But
the winger is set to play in Saturday’s Asia Trophy game against South
China out in Hong Kong as Tottenham continue with their preparations for
the new season. Roberto Soldado has told Valencia he wants to leave for Spurs
Far
from wanting to lose him, Spurs want to add the goals of Roberto Soldado
to Bale’s talents and are set to go back in for the Valencia striker.
They have been heartened by the fact that the 28-year-old marksman has told Valencia he wants to move to White Hart Lane.
The Spanish club are adamant they will not do business for less than Soldado’s £26million buyout clause.
Spurs
Technical Director Franco Baldini returned from face to face talks with
Valencia on Monday having failed to conclude a £22million deal.
But Soldado, who would earn around £3million-a-year at Spurs, has told the Valencia board he DOES want to move to London.
Valencia left-winger Juan Bernat has revealed the club’s player are already expecting the freescoring striker to leave.
He
said: “They are now negotiating. I wish him well. Its his decision. We
know that Valencia has had some very good seasons and he has given us a
lot.”
Tottenham are running out of time to seal a deal with Valencia
president Amadeo Salvo also sticking by his insistence that he does not
want to negotiate after next
Saturday, August 3.
Valencia want a deal done by then for tax purposes and in order to leave themselves enough time to sign replacements.
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