As rival clubs are linked to Gareth Bale, what do Tottenham Hotspur need to know?
Manchester United and Chelsea are among the clubs linked to Gareth Bale in recent days, but Tottenham Hotspur could have a big say themselves.
Jose Mourinho told BBC Sport he will fight to sign the Real Madrid star for Manchester United if he gets a hint the Welshman is for sale – while The Sun report Chelsea are hovering.
Tottenham were the club to sell Bale to Real Madrid in 2013 and have an option as part of that deal to re-sign him, but there are certain conditions to it.
- Tottenham do not have a buy-back clause, but they do have an option on Bale.
- This entitles them to match any offer Real Madrid receive for Bale, within 72 hours of the La Liga champions accepting it.
- This counts only for offers from Premier League teams.
- It is time limited, and expires on June 2019.
This keeps Tottenham on top of the situation, and it would have been smart on the club’s behalf to have kept money aside ‘in case’.
Next summer may be a more opportune time for Spurs to move, to bring back the Wales international to coincide with moving into their new stadium.
Tottenham are yet to make any signings to date, leading to fans hoping money is being saved to bring in a marquee name.
If Manchester United make a bid, then Tottenham could be pressed into acting.
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