Spurs can outwit Man United in race to sign £10m Gareth Bale

[RiverWire]

Spurs can outwit Man United in race to sign £10m Gareth Bale

The Welsh teenager's dream of helping Southampton back to the Premiership looks shattered. Now it could be decision time for the young defender.

Spurs are one of several clubs monitoring the progress of 17-year-old Gareth Bale since the January transfer window. The talented left-back has made it clear that he wants to try to secure a place in the Premiership with Southampton, but it looks increasingly likely that he will figure in a £10 million move.

The South coast club's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Derby County in the first leg of the Championship play-off may cause the Weles defender to revise his options. Southampton have to reverse that scoreline, and add another away goal, at Derby on Tuesday night if they are to reach the play-off final. And even then there is no guarantee that they will return to the top flight.

Bale may look elsewhere -and Spurs could emerge as likely suitors. They were close to signing him last transfer season when rumours spread about interest from Manchester United and the move was postponed. Bale is exactly what Spurs need to fill the void at left-back, although a move to the Premiership is bound to present problems of acclimatisation in respect of pace and tempo at the higher level.

It is generally believed, and accepted in most quarters, that Bale will be on the move if Southampton fail to secure promotion. He has been a sensation in the Saints team as well as a favourite with the St Mary's supporters, so a shock move to north London may not go down well.

Would Martin Jol be prepared to thrust him straight into the Premiership spotlight? It hardly seems likely as he would have to cope with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo - a daunting prospect even for one with the confidence and conviction of Bale. There is even a suggestion that should Spurs sign him, he could be loaned back to Southampton to continue his progress.

But Bale has shown that he can hold his own at the highest level, having scored five goals for Southampton and two for Wales, and he has become something of a free-kick specialist in the David Beckham mould.

Should they fail to land Bale, Spurs may switch their attention to Wigan defender Leighton Baines, but it is important that they tighten up their defence next season. They need to cut back on the number of goals conceded to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. This area is something that needs to be worked on desperately.

[Twizzle]

tightening up t defense is good in theory, as long as the players we pick up are up to the job

never heard of this kid

just how good is he ?

I'm not a fan of Rocha on what he has shown so far

[Ragz]

looks like we got Bale

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ur/6683989.stm

[spurslady]

Still nothing on the official site wont belive its true untill then :4:

[Yid_1978]

They said he had his medical yesterday and he was meant to be announced today!! Hope they're just waiting till Sunday to unveil Kaboul and Bale together after Auxeres last game of season.

[Ragz]

it's official now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ur/6693839.stm

Tottenham have completed the signing of Southampton's teenager Welsh international defender Gareth Bale.

Southampton said Spurs will make an immediate payment of £5 million, with further additional payments that could see the transfer fee rise to £10m.

The 17-year-old Bale said: "I'm just excited to be coming to a massive club like Spurs. It's pushing forward and I want to be part of its future."

[Cozzy]

what a great singing :16: only 17 to

[NundyYido]

United Still intrested Lol

[CorLuka Modric]

haha... god i was excited about this wonderkid bale and future french captain kaboul coming to the lane... thank **** commolis gone

[NundyYido]

hahahahaaha i agree mate , maybe City wud be intrested lol