Tottenham star Gareth Bale was the subject of a "big-money bid" over the summer, according to Wales manager John Toshack.

The 21-year-old Wales international's blistering form in 2010 has seen him become one of the hottest properties in the Barclays Premier League.

"It was a big-money bid - it's big money to me anyway. You'll have to ask Tottenham, they know about it," said Toshack.

"Gareth is aware people are looking at him and people are interested."

When pressed on the identity of the club, Toshack said: "I wouldn't do that out of confidence for the people who have informed me."

Toshack did joke that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp should not be claiming the credit for Bale's emergence.

Bale, who joined Spurs for £5million in 2007, only became a regular in the north Londoners' side in the second half of last season. Toshack has been an admirer since handing the Cardiff-born player, who now has 24 caps, his international debut at the age of 16 just over four years ago.

Toshack said: "Two years ago when we started the World Cup qualifying campaign, the first three matches Bale was named man of the match against Azerbaijan, Russia and Liechtenstein.

"I know Harry thinks he has performed some kind of miracle at White Hart Lane but it is certainly not a surprise to us. We know full well what Gareth can do.

"I think the fact the left-back (Benoit Assou-Ekotto) was injured at Tottenham opened the door for him a bit and that shouldn't have been the case. But it was and he's taken full advantage."