Spurs stalled on Bale move

Tottenham have put Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid on hold as they look for new signings after being snubbed by Willian.

It had been expected that Bale would finalise his £93 million transfer to the Spanish capital yesterday afternoon but is understood Spurs are unwilling to sanction Bale’s move until they have signed at least one new player to fill the Welshman’s position.

Tottenham looked to be favourites to sign Willian, whose best position is the number 10 role Bale operated in last season, but Chelsea appear to have won the race for the Anzhi Makhachkala player.

Chelsea contacted Anzhi late on Thursday evening to lodge a bid of £32m, which was accepted.

Willian was very close to agreeing personal terms with Tottenham at the time following his medical at the club, but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho indicated yesterday the Brazilian is joining the west London club.

Missing out on Willian is a real blow to Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who was counting on the player to add the star quality which Bale brought to the team last season.

Still, the Spurs boss can look back on his dealings in the market with satisfaction, having signed four top-class players so far this summer.

Spurs are also in talks with Roma officials over the transfer of 21-year-old Roma midfielder Erik Lamela.

Lamela, who can play on either wing or through the middle, wants to move to Tottenham to play in Europe following Roma’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

The player’s agent is in London to try to finalise a move to Spurs and should the transfer be confirmed, it could prove to be enough for the club to grant Bale his dream move to Spain.

Villas-Boas, meanwhile, insists his players will be in the right frame of mind for tomorrow’s game against Swansea.

“I don’t think the team will be distracted by the transfers,” the Tottenham manager said.

“What we’ve done so far has been great activity in the transfer window, and will continue to work to strengthen the squad.

“The players look very determined to achieve our objectives this season because of last season’s tally of points and not being able to achieve it.

“We will continue to be focused on our objectives, so we transfer back to the Premier League against Swansea which is extremely important.”

When Spurs hosted Swansea last season they struggled without Bale, who missed the match through injury.

The Londoners had to rely on a Jan Vertonghen goal late in the second half to seal a 1-0 victory.

This current Tottenham squad appears much better-equipped to cope without the Welshman, however.

All four summer signings impressed in Thursday’s 5-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi while Andros Townsend and Danny Rose, who were both sent out on loan last season, have excelled since their return.

Villas-Boas has been pleased with how his new-look team has gelled so far after two wins from two matches.

“It’s just the beginning, so for the team to perform like that was something very good,” the Portuguese said.

“Considering the trip, the time difference and our efforts against Palace, I’m extremely pleased.

“The body is tired but the mind is happy, absolutely.”