Soldado set for the Lane, but Bale out still on

Tottenham yesterday moved to further strengthen their squad with a deal to sign striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia, but the future of Gareth Bale remains uncertain.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been keen to bring in attacking reinforcements and has long been an admirer of 28-year-old Soldado, who has been a prolific goalscorer in Spain’s Primera Division.

The deal, though, is likely to have cost the White Hart Lane club around £26 million (€30m), the buyout clause which Valencia president Amadeo warned had to be met to pry the striker away. If so, it would see Tottenham break the club transfer record set when they signed Paulinho for £17m from Corinthians earlier in the summer.

However, were Bale to be sold to Real Madrid — who are ready to pay a world-record £85m for the Wales international — then that outlay on new players would be offset entirely, opening up the possibility of a move for Roma’s Argentina forward Erik Lamela.

Confirming the move for Soldado, a Tottenham statement said: “We have reached agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Roberto Soldado subject to medical.”

Soldado later urged Bale to stay at White Hart Lane so the pair can form a partnership next season.

“Bale is a great footballer and you can see the effort Tottenham are making to prevent him from leaving. Of course I want him to stay.”

The forward also left with a parting shot at Los Che.

“I’m leaving Valencia because I don’t trust or believe in this project,” he said.

“I will say it again: I decided to leave the club the moment I lost faith in this project.”

Soldado’s impending arrival boosts a Spurs strike force that was found light last season, with Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor the first-team’s only out-and-out attackers.

Tottenham have also brought in Belgian winger Nacer Chadli from FC Twente, in a deal which is reported to have cost some £7m.

Chadli is in no doubt he has joined a team going places, as Villas-Boas looks to build on last season’s fifth place finish.

He said: “Some clubs wanted me this summer but Tottenham was the best choice for me and the best club, a club I can fit in to. I played here three years ago for Twente and I was really impressed with the club, the stadium and all the players.

“As a group, I know we want to reach the Champions League places. Last season was too bad the team didn’t make it, but I am sure we can improve and make the first four.”