Gareth Bale transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino open to signing Real Madrid forward but unsure of Spurs bid

The Tottenham manager admits he does not know if Bale is a transfer target

Jack Watson
Sunday 21 July 2019 15:08 BST
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Mauricio Pochettino admitted he is unsure whether Gareth Bale is a Tottenham Hotspur transfer target.

The Real Madrid forward is on the verge of leaving the La Liga club six years after he switched Spurs for the Spanish capital for a then-world record £85m fee.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane revealed on Sunday morning that “we hope he leaves soon” and added “we are working on his transfer to a new team”.

Spurs have been linked with a possible move for the Welsh winger and Pochettino admitted he was unsure on the club’s stance on signing the 30-year-old.

"I saw in the media but I do not know which club is going to sign him,” said Pochettino following Tottenham’s 3-2 win against Juventus.

“I do not know if it is us or another club. It is the job of my chairman to build the best possible club," he added.

The Independent revealed Tottenham have shown tentative interest in the four-time Champions League winner, but a swap deal with Neymar that takes him to Paris Saint-Germain stands as a possible solution.

Bale left Tottenham in September 2013
Bale left Tottenham in September 2013 (Getty)

Zidane has made no secret of the fact that he does not see a future for Bale at the Bernabeu, and the Welshman’s agent described the Madrid manager’s handling of the situation as a “disgrace”.

"Zidane is a disgrace to speak like that about someone who has done so much for Real,” Jonathan Barnett told ESPN in retaliation to the Frenchman’s comments.

"If and when Gareth goes it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing,” he added to BBC Wales.

"We're working on a few things. Gareth is a Real Madrid player but if he does leave it will be his own decision, not Mr Zidane's."

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