Tottenham Braced For £20m Real Madrid Raid

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has issued a hands-off warning over left-back Gareth Bale, after reports suggested that Real Madrid were considering a move for Welshman.
Bale, 21, has been one of the stars of Spurs’ squad in recent months, after a slow start at White Hart Lane, but now Redknapp is in no doubt as to his importance to the side and won’t be letting him go anywhere.
“I read in the papers the other day that Gareth’s performances for Spurs have already caught the attention of other teams around the world – including Real Madrid and their manager, a certain Jose Mourinho,” he said in the Sun.
“Jose certainly knows a player when he sees one. But one thing is for sure. I am not letting Gareth go anywhere. Tottenham is a team on the up and we are building something at White Hart Lane. Mourinho can enjoy watching Gareth all he likes but he will be going nowhere.”
Redknapp has poured praise on the youngster and his most recent commendation has likened him to Chelsea star Ashley Cole, rated by many as the best left-back in the world.
“I do not make comparisons lightly but he and Ashley Cole are quite similar and that can only be a massive compliment to Gareth,” said Redknapp. “My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world.
“Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team. Cole started out at Arsenal as a left-winger. Gareth was a left-winger as a lad too. Now, I would say he and Ashley Cole are two of a kind in this country and the two best left-backs in England.”
He added: “The main difference between him and Ashley Cole is that he is Welsh – more’s the pity. I would go so far as to say that Gareth is the best player to come out of Wales since Ryan Giggs. As an Englishman, I am highly disappointed he is Welsh.” (ESPN)

Gareth Bale

Already one of Tottenham’s best players, Gareth Bale is slowly developing into one of the greatest talents in the Premier League. A move away at this stage of his career would be both foolish for himself and for Tottenham.
If Harry Redknapp’s side want to establish themselves as a top four club and in Europe, they must hold on to players like Bale. The club have been forced to sell stars in the past, players such as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have been sold on on for hefty transfer fees, but now they are in a position to reject such bids.
Bale has been one of the stars of Tottenham’s encouraging start to the season, and will be looking to continue his good form against Aston Villa this weekend.