Reports in the Spanish press claim that Gareth Bale has agreed a six-year deal with Real Madrid - despite Tottenham steadfastly insisting their winger is not for sale at any price.
Sports daily Marca, which is well known for its close allegiance to Real, also claims that Bale will be paid 10m Euros (£8.6m) a season and has already told Spurs he wants to leave.
However, this is in stark contrast to Andre Villas-Boas' stance - the Tottenham manager re-iterating the club's position as recently as Tuesday morning.
Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong ahead of the Asia Trophy, Villas-Boas said: "On Gareth, I want to repeat what I was telling you last season and what I was telling you from the beginning of (pre-season) so I cannot extend myself.
"He is a player that we are willing to continue to have, he's a Tottenham player, he's one of the most fantastic players in the world at the moment and we are counting on him for the future."
Bale has never given any indication that he wants to leave White Hart Lane and, speaking two weeks ago following a pre-season friendly, the Welshman spoke of his desire to push Tottenham towards Champions League qualification.
"I think everyone at the club wants us to finish in the top four, the club wants to be in the top four, and we need to go one better this season and finish in the top four," he said.
Bale won both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year following a superb last season.
And former teammate Ledley King is convinced Bale will be part of Spurs' push for the Champions League next season.
"The season he had last year was a big part of our achievements, and he knows we'll be looking to do the same this season," he told Sky Sports News.
"I know Gareth's happy, he's come back in good spirits and I'm hoping he's going to have a good season again."
King also believes the 24-year-old will take the speculation over his future in his stride.
"I think you get used to it as a player," he added. "The kind of player he's grown to be, it's something that you have to deal with.
"He's a good lad, he's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows the main thing for him is just to concentrate on his football and the rest will take care of itself."
No comments:
Post a Comment