Pressure Mounts On Tottenham Over Gareth Bale’s Future

The past week has seen the pressure mount on Tottenham and their Chairman, Daniel Levy, as the media speculation over Gareth Bale’s future continues on an almost daily basis.

Constant speculation over Gareth Bale’s future. [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Saturday: Real Madrid Director of Football

Last weekend, with the world’s media in London for the Champions League Final Zinedine Zidane took the opportunity  to repeat his views on Gareth Bale’s future. It was only two months earlier that he was quoted in the Daily Mail lavishing praise on Bale, describing him as the best player in Europe this year.

Zidane is Real Madrid’s Sporting Director who also works with the youth teams. Last weekend he revisited the subject of Bale saying,

"“Big players like that, talented players like that, can always go to Real Madrid. He’s more than good enough. I’ve been watching Tottenham for the very reason Gareth Bale is playing.”"

It is thought that Bale is negotiating a new improved contract with Spurs, even though they failed to make next season’s Champions League. While Zidane is only stating what is obvious to everyone as we all know that Bale is good enough to play for any of the top clubs in the world, it increases the pressure on Spurs and Levy as the club tries to conduct negotiations with the player. It also creates uncertainty in Bale’s mind in an attempt to direct his thoughts away from Tottenham and towards Real Madrid. Zidane is doing all in his power to unsettle Bale with tempting overtures from Spain but without Real having to make any formal contact with Tottenham.

Monday: Real to offer £65m

Monday’s report in the Daily Mail suggested that Real Madrid are looking to tempt Spurs into a deal worth £65 m for the transfer of Bale. The Spanish club are under pressure to match Barcelona who have already reached agreement Neymar and they see Bale as the perfect signing for their incoming manager. Real know that Tottenham do not want to sell their prize asset, something Andre Villas-Boas made clear only a fortnight ago when talking to BBC Sport.

"“If we want to make it better next season we have to hold on to our best assets and this is what I have been told from the top.”"

Such an offer would be tempting to Spurs but could they sign players who would strengthen the team and make it better than we had last season with Bale?

Wednesday: Bale’s Agent Airs his Views

All agents have to stir the water to get the best for their clients and Real’s interest is being used by Jonathan Barnett as an additional bargaining tool with Spurs or as an alternative should Bale decide on playing in Europe. Either way his remarks were perfectly timed to add pressure on Daniel Levy as he tries to negotiate a new deal for the player while also encouraging Real Madrid to take action by turning their positive words into a concrete offer to Tottenham.

Barnett’s comments on Marca TV which were reported in the Guardian will be worrying to Tottenham and be seen as a come and get me plea to Real.

"“If Florentino [Pérez, the Real president] is interested in Gareth Bale, it would be an honour and we’d listen. But his contract is with Tottenham. We aren’t free to talk with anybody at the moment, that’s the point we’re at.”"

Wednesday: Calm Re-assurance from David Pleat

Speaking on Radio 5 Live, the former Tottenham manager David Pleat talking about Gareth Bale’s future at White Hart Lane, as reports of Real Madrid’s interest continue, said,

"“Gareth is a sensible chap and I don’t believe he will want to go abroad too early.”"

Thursday: Bale ‘Born’ to Play for Real Madrid

Tottenham fans believe Gareth Bale was ‘born’ to play for Spurs but encouraged by Bale’s agent’s words, the Real President told the Marca newspaper, and reported by the Guardian,

"“Bale was ‘born’ to play in Madrid.”"

Friday: Daniel Levy Warns Off Premier League Clubs

Tottenham responded to all the speculation which had built up during the week when the Daily Express reported that Daniel Levy would not sell Gareth Bale to a club in England. A spokesman was quoted as saying,

"“Daniel Levy has made it clear ever since the Berbatov deal that he will never again sell a major asset to another English club.”"

Saturday: More Unwanted Advice for Bale:

To end the week, Steve McManaman who left Liverpool to join Real in 1999 has added his thoughts by encouraging Bale to move and test himself in Spain against the world’s best. He is reported in the Mirror, saying,

"“I think sooner or later, whether it’s this year or next year, he needs to be playing against the best people in the world.”"

Sunday, 2nd June: £85m for Bale

Even as this article was being published today’s Sunday Times has a story saying that Real Madrid are prepared to offer a world record £85m to sign Gareth Bale. If they do put in an offer of such magnitude, Daniel Levy will have a major decision to make.

It will be another testing summer for Tottenham supporters until a decision is made concerning Bale. The decision is in his hands and the early indications were good that he was inclined to remain at Tottenham but with the continuous pressure from sources connected with Real Madrid it’s impossible to know how it will work out. Tottenham don’t want to sell him but they will have to present him with the best possible contract to ensure that he remains for at least another season. Daniel Levy also needs to prove that he will strengthen the team to improve Tottenham’s chances of success next season and make those signings at the earliest possible opportunity.

• To all the ‘experts’ who feel the need to air their views on Gareth Bale – we don’t want to hear them.

• To all Tottenham fans – hold your nerve and believe that Bale will remain at White Hart Lane.