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EPL: Mystery over Bale's Madrid transfer saga continues

August 05, 2013 12:28 IST
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas and Gareth Bale

If you thought that the fuss over Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid was over and done with, you are wrong.

At least that is what Tottenham Hotspurs’ coach Andres Villas-Boas wants us to believe.

Is Tottenham Hotspurs' Gareth Bale worth a 100 million Euros?

The Portuguese, once again, reiterated on Sunday that his 24-year-old ward is very much part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season.

There were major claims by the Spanish and English media over the weekend  that a 86.3 million pound deal for Bale had been struck between Spurs and Msdrid, but Villas-Boas used the press conference to quash all those rumours.

"I think the rumours that anything is imminent are not true," the Spurs manager said.

"We've allowed ourselves conversations with Real Madrid, confirmed by their coach, I think, wrongly, but the only thing we've communicated is that the player is our player and not for sale."

Villas-Boas also made clear his thoughts on Real coach Carlo Ancelotti making public the talks between the two clubs.

"I think so, in my opinion. Carlo is a person I appreciate a lot and we have great respect for each other but, bearing in mind this situation, they have decided to make it public. Normally in situations like this in England it is scrutinised by the FA with lots of care and attention. We have seen lots of people speak about a player that is not theirs and we are due some respect."

'We are not willing to concede to their interest in the player'

August 05, 2013 12:28 IST
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas

"There are conversations because there is big, big respect between the clubs, bearing in mind the transfer last year (of Modric) and the agreement last year of goodwill between the clubs. At the moment we are following from those instructions.

"But of the player, bearing in mind the investment you have seen at Tottenham recently, he is a player who is decisive for us. We are building a very strong team and we are building for a future with Gareth.

"In football anything is possible but what we have communicated so far is that we are not willing to concede to their interest in the player."

Let’s just say we haven’t heard the last word on this transfer saga yet!