Spurs dismiss Real Bale deal

Tottenham insist Gareth Bale will not be sold to Real Madrid despite reports in Spain that a deal is already agreed.

Sports daily Marca, well known for its close allegiance to Real, yesterday claimed a six-year contract has been prepared for the Welsh star.

The report also suggested Bale will be paid €10 million a season and has already told Spurs he wants to leave.

But, speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, where Spurs are preparing for the Asia Trophy, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas repeated the stance on Bale he has taken since before the end of last season.

“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,” Villas-Boas said.

“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 given no public indication he wants to leave White Hart Lane and recently spoke of his desire to push Spurs 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.

Former team-mate 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.

“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. “The kind of player he’s grown to be, it’s something you have to deal with.”