Spurs close in on Bale

TOTTENHAM still appear to be winning the race to sign Wales left-back Gareth Bale from Southampton.

The 17-year-old has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal but Spurs look set to move early in the summer transfer market, as they did a year ago when they brought Dimitar Berbatov to the Premiership from Bayer Leverkusen.

While Berbatov led the attack for Spurs, Bale is expected to bolster a defence that conceded 54 league goals last season.

Spurs did not have a regular left-back last season – Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Young-Pyo Lee and Ricardo Rocha all had spells there – and Bale’s attacking instincts would also suit boss Martin Jol, although the formalities have not been announced.

Bale put himself in the spotlight at the start of the season with a stunning free-kick against Derby, followed by another set-piece three days later against Coventry.

He is the youngest player to be capped by Wales and despite being deployed at full-back so far in his fledgling career, has been tipped to emulate Ryan Giggs if he is developed into a winger.

Saints boss George Burley wanted to keep Bale at the club for another year to ensure he gets regular first-team football. Bale’s former Southampton room-mate, Theo Walcott, has seen his chances limited since moving to Arsenal but Bale would expect to challenge for a regular starting place at White Hart Lane, particularly with Spurs’ problems on the left.

A move would also be consistent with Spurs’ policy of buying the best young British talent when possible.

Jol has six players in the England ‘B’ squad for Friday’s friendly against Albania, while Tom Huddlestone is in the Under-21s squad for the European Championships next month in Holland.