Real Madrid sign Bale for world record fee

Los Blancos have finally announced the arrival
of the Wales international, who has usurped
new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the
game's most expensive player Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported €100 million.
More to follow ...

Paulinho eager for Bale to stay at Tottenham

The Brazil international insists he would relish the chance to play alongside the Welshman this season, but admits he has no idea whether he will get the opportunity

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho wants Gareth Bale to remain at the club, but admits that he is unsure over the Welshman's plans.

Real Madrid have been chasing the 24-year-old throughout the close-season, while Bale has been absent from first-team duties with a foot injury.

Paulinho, who arrived from Corinthians in July, is eager for the Wales international to commit himself to the London side - but does not know if he will.

"I sincerely don't know [if Bale will stay], but I think this is something more private for Bale, he doesn't tell me anything," the Brazilian told Fox Sports Brazil.

"But I hope he continues with us, so that he can help us. He is a great player and achieved great stats last season, so I hope he stays with us."

Paulinho, a club-record signing prior to the arrival of Roberto Soldado, made his Tottenham debut in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Bale not in Tottenham squad for Espanyol friendly

The winger has made it known to Spurs that he wants to join Real Madrid, and despite attending training this week he will sit out yet another pre-season friendly with injury

Gareth Bale will not feature in Tottenham's friendly with Espanyol on Saturday.

The Welshman was back in training with Spurs this week after making it clear that he wants to move to Real Madrid.

Reports in Spain have maintained that the 24-year-old has not been injured all summer, but he did receive treatment for a knock on Monday.

He has also been named in Chris Coleman's Wales squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

Daniel Levy and Florentino Perez held further talks over a €115 million transfer in Florida this week, though Perez has claimed that the fee is "a lot of money".

Meanwhile, Roberto Soldado makes his Spurs debut after sealing his €30m transfer from Valencia. Nacer Chadli and Paulinho also start.

Tottenham starting XI v Espanyol: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Fryers, Rose; Dembele, Chadli, Paulinho; Lennon, Soldado, Sigurdsson.
Subs: Friedel, Kaboul, Naughton, Stewart, Huddlestone, Sandro, Townsend, Defoe.

Bale trademarks 'Eleven of Hearts' goal celebration

The 24-year-old winger, who scored 21 goals in the Premier League last season, is priced at €115 million amid heavy interest from Real Madrid

Tottenham's Gareth Bale has seen plans to trademark his 'Eleven of Hearts' goal celebration approved by the Intellectual Property Office.

The Wales international, who is valued at €115 million by Spurs in the wake of Real Madrid's intense interest, is now able to use the celebration on "clothing, footwear and headgear" as well as precious metals and leather.

Bale regularly forms a heart shape with his hands after scoring a goal - something which he did 21 times in the Premier League last season - though he is not the first person to do the celebration.

Should Bale make the move to Spain, his global appeal would likely rocket, especially if a world-record fee, widely expected to be involved in the deal, is parted with for his services.

His recently trademarked celebration could be a big part of Bale's image rights and add to the wages that Madrid could offer him. No player at Madrid currently wears Bale's No.11 shirt.

Bale, 24, won both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards last season as Tottenham finished fifth.

#47Updates: Bale back in Tottenham training as Real Madrid talks enter crucial stages

Gareth Bale will attend training with Tottenham on Tuesday as the club prepare for decisive talks with Real Madrid over a world record transfer for the Welshman in the next 48 hours.

Jonathan Barnett, Bale's agent, had been quoted in Spain suggesting Bale may not train with Spurs having been disappointed by comments from manager Andre Villas-Boas over the weekend claiming his star man is not for sale.

But Bale is expected to train and, indeed, was at Tottenham's training ground on Monday for treatment on a foot injury.

While the 24-year-old is unlikely to play in Spurs' final pre-season fixture against Espanyol on Saturday, he does not want to risk provoking the Londoners as talks over his future enter a crucial phase.

Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in Florida this week, most probably on Wednesday when the Spanish giants face Chelsea in Miami.


The clubs are yet to agree on either a transfer fee or payment structure, with Spurs demanding €115 million for Bale and Levy increasingly determined to stick to his guns. He has been angered by Madrid's very public pursuit of the attacker and the tactics used by Bale's camp to engineer a move.

Bale is desperate to move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and fears he may not get another chance to complete his dream transfer having been told it's 'now or never' to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The former Southampton man is not considering a formal transfer request and does not want to jeopardise his strong relationship with the club and their fans, but he has told Levy that he wants to join Madrid.

Spurs were stunned by Bale's desire for a transfer during the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong but have been making plans for his potential departure.

Two Real Madrid players, Alvaro Morata and Fabio Coentrao, are of particular interest and could be included in any agreement for Bale, although swap deals are rare and such transfers are more likely to happen in separate deals.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Roma's Erik Lamela are ambitious targets in the event of Bale's departure, with Villas-Boas targetting four players to replace last season’s PFA player of the year.

Tottenham have already spent heavily this summer and confirmed the €30m arrival of Roberto Soldado on Monday, with the Spain international joining new recruits Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.