Levy fires Bale parting shot

Gareth Bale last night completed a world record €100 million move to Real Madrid and was sent on his way the Bernabeu Stadium with an acrimonious parting shot from Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman.

The protracted transfer was finally concluded after lengthy negotiations and after a week in which the Wales international failed to turn up for training at Spurs. And in a statement confirming the player’s departure, Levy made it clear he believes Tottenham’s hand was forced by a combination of the Madrid club’s persistence and Bale’s determination to force through a move.

“Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future,” said Levy.