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Spurs received 'big-money bid' for Gareth Bale, claims John Toshack
3 Sep 2010Tottenham 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 Premier League.
The former Southampton prodigy signed a four-year contract at White Hart Lane in May but that has not stopped other clubs casting envious eyes over the dynamic left-sided defender or winger.
Toshack, who is with Bale preparing for a Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro tomorrow, would not confirm which club had made an approach when he spoke glowingly of the player.
But given his extensive knowledge of European football as a former Real Madrid manager and seven other clubs on the continent, it is assumed to have come from overseas.
Toshack said: "It was a big-money bid - it's big money to me anyway. You'll have to ask Tottenham, they know about it.
"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."
Toshack has been impressed by Bale's continued improvement but believes there is much more to come from the youngster.
He added: "He's still a young lad and there's things he has to learn but there are a lot of people looking at him and taking an interest in him.
"I just hope he can take his club performances into our games at international level.
"He's in Champions League football now which is another platform for him to show what he can do and if he steers clear of the injury problems he has had he's got everything going for him to be a big, big player."
Reader views (16)
I wonder, have any of the red-inked, so-called "big boys" got fifty mill to invest - or will they continue to thrive on borrowed money?
And windbag Toshack - note that waistline, and he's a football coach (alleged)!
- Ted, Orkney, 04/09/2010 10:38
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This young man is the future of spurs if spurs go about it the right way they will be one of the best teams in europe .
- dan henry, glasgow scotland, 03/09/2010 17:21
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If, as my old friend Adrian sez, 'arry-boy commits suicide, he certainly won't cut his throat; it'd take weeks.
- gaz, london, 03/09/2010 15:59
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Adrain ~ One word sums it up.. Wigan
- Trew Northerner, Cheshire, 03/09/2010 15:08
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Charlie. your name & address say's it all.
- JohnM, Essex, 03/09/2010 14:46
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Trew mate, concentrate on your own team, if you have 1..
Bale is an exceptional talent and got a great attitude, didn't moan just worked hard and got his rewards. Yes Benoit got injured and he got his opportunity and took it...Sell him, Harry would need to commit sucide......
Spurs not to qualify for CL next season, let this one start and finish first...
- adrian, london, 03/09/2010 14:27
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Bale looks like the real deal; an exeptional player.
Of course bigger teams will come in for him. Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal all lost players to bigger clubs, it's niave to think it won't happen to the Spuds.
Why doesn't arry complain that the welsh windbag is talking about another club's players? Coz he does the same himself.
Karma
- gaz, london, 03/09/2010 14:11
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So that is where the saying "what a load of old Tosh" comes from
- Dennis, Bedford, 03/09/2010 12:17
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strange, Tos(ser)hack says 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." So why mention it all unless he is trying to unsettle the player or is deliberatley trying to destabalise the club? I suggest he should Keep on running his third world country and leave Premiership teams/players to the experts.
- john james, bournemouth ENGLAND, 03/09/2010 12:16
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Wont be long before Bale leaves. I would imagine next season, after Tootenham fail to qualify for next seasons Champions League & a top club comes in with a huge wages & the challenge of playing for one of europe's top clubs.
- Trew Northerner, Cheshire, 03/09/2010 12:14
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What I wonder is, what business is it of John Toshack whether or not there was a big money bid and what authority does he have to spout about it. Why doesn't he just concentrate on getting Wales a point or two for a change.
I canny understand why he's giving opinions on something that has nothing to do with him and obviously devulging something Bale's club didn't publicise. A 'has-been' looking for notice, probably.
- Kevin, N London, 03/09/2010 11:33
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"They can look all they like. He's a Spurs player, end of!!!" "....... a team like manure, a team in decline."
It must be nice living on JohnM's Planet Naivety, where, apparently, the most popular pastime is 'clutching at straws'.
- Charlie Fitzherbert, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 03/09/2010 10:57
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I think this shows that Levy has made changes at Spurs, traditionally the summer window has meant losing our top performers to bigger clubs, in recent times we have lost Carrick and Berbatov when United have come calling. He has got the club in a position where we can turn down these bids and we have players who are happy to stay, so credit where it is due to the Spurs hierarchy-For once we have people in place who can see more than two weeks into the future.
- Mark Woods, Pontypridd, Wales, 03/09/2010 10:52
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Chris,Brighton. We all know it was old red nose sniffing around. Why on earth would Gareth want to join a team like manure, a team in decline.
- JohnM, Essex, 03/09/2010 10:34
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They can look all they like. He's a Spurs player, end of!!!
- JohnM, Essex, 03/09/2010 10:21
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Well we all know this was united and Levy told them to F**k off nicely!
- Chris, Brighton, 03/09/2010 10:10
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