AVB critical of Real’s public pursuit of Bale

Andre Villas-Boas insists the only talks between Tottenham and Real Madrid regarding Gareth Bale have been to tell the Spanish club he is not for sale.

Bale has been linked with a world record transfer to Madrid, with reports of a deal worth up to £105 million being all but finalised, but Spurs manager Villas-Boas insists he is continuing to plan for the coming season with Bale in his team, while admitting to some frustration with Madrid’s very public pursuit of the Wales international.

“I think the rumours that anything is imminent are not true,” he said after Saturday night’s 5-2 friendly defeat to Monaco, before going on to criticise Real coach Carlo Ancelotti for publicly confirming that talks had taken place.