Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Bale deal almost done

RECORD TRANSFER Real Madrid are set to sign the Welsh winger from Tottenham for £93 million

- Agencies/the Guardian ■ sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

MADRID: Spanish giants Real Madrid is close to finally landing Welsh striker Gareth Bale from Tottenham based on an improved offer of £93million plus Fabio Coentrao.

According to British media, La Liga’s Madrid, which has been pursuing Bale all this summer, have already seen a world record £85million bid rejected for the Welshman.

The deal is worth £100million to Spurs, with £93million being paid in cash, while wing-back Coentrao, valued at £7million, has also been thrown into the package, the report said.

“Talks are still ongoing. It is not tied up yet, but we hope soon. There are still some details to be agreed,” Gareth Bale was quoted as saying by the Express.

The move would eclipse the world record – Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid four years ago. SPENDING SPREE Reports in the British media also claim Spurs are prepared to break their transfer record for the third time during the current transfer window by paying Anzhi Makhachkal­a £ 30 million for Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian.

Villas-Boas has spent £59.5m on four players, including the midfielder Paulinho at £17m and the striker Roberto Soldado at £26m, who each represente­d increases on the

THE MOVE WOULD ECLIPSE THE WORLD RECORD – CRISTIANO RONALDO’S £80M MOVE FROM MANCHESTER UNITED TO REAL MADRID FOUR YEARS AGO.

club’s previous transfer record – the £16.5m that they spent to take Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb.

The outlay has reinforced the feeling that the chairman Daniel Levy is finally prepared to accept Real Madrid’s offer for Bale and he is effectivel­y spending against the anticipate­d windfall from the Wales forward’s sale.

Levy has not wanted to sell. Spurs have cash reserves and he has been keen to keep Bale, add big-name signings and possibly challenge for the title.

But if he must lose last season’s player of the year, he has vowed to do so on his terms and only if the squad as a collective can emerge stronger.

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