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.

“He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.

“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.

“We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad.”

Bale, 24, joined Tottenham from Southampton in 2007 in a €12m deal, has signed a six-year contract with the La Liga club that could be worth around €100m to the player in salary and image rights.

While his departure clearly angered Levy, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas offered a more conciliatory farewell to the player.

“We have got on with our work without Gareth,” said Villas-Boas in the wake of his side’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

“The player is a wonderful player going to join Real Madrid. We wish him all the best.

“He has left with great memories from last season which every Tottenham fan cherishes. But he has moved on and we move on as well.

“Yes we’ll miss him but I think it’s part of change. Change creates expectations and it raises anxiety in people but we have to move forward. There are a lot of clubs that have this kind of transfer activity.

“We have great confidence this could be our season. We have to move forward. Tottenham has made some great reinvestments with the money that will come into the team from Gareth Bale which is wonderful.”

Bale’s move could prove to be good news for Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal who are interested in Real Madrid trio Karim Benzema, Mezut Ozil and Angel Di Maria.

The Spanish club had been reluctant to consider off-loading the three attack-minded players but Bale’s arrival will strengthen Carlo Ancelotti forward options and Arsenal interest in the three players, valued collectively at around €90m will now be considered more seriously during the final day of the transfer window.

Real Madrid officials refused to talk about any future potential deals last night referring to their website statement which read: “Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement for the transfer of Gareth Bale, who will be contracted to the club for the next six seasons.”