Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale has suggested he will remain at White Hart Lane after hailing the impact of manager Andre Villas-Boas on his career.
The Wales international, who won PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year last term, has been heavily linked with a money-spinning move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The speculation accelerated when Bale’s agent revealed the player would listen to an offer from Real and he is currently odds-on to play for them as his next club following Spurs in the Paddy Power transfer specials.
However, Spurs are determined to hang on to their main man, with a new contract offer worth £130,000-a-week rumoured.
Bale, whose contract runs until 2016, has now spoken out. He appears to be enjoying his football in north London, particularly since Villas-Boas took the reins last summer.
“He has helped me in all aspects of my game. In training we have been working on things that I can do in games and in games he has given me the confidence to do what I want and do what I do best, which is a massive thing for a player,” Bale told Spurs TV.
The 23-year-old has described the Portuguese’s first season as “a very exciting time for the club”, hinting his tactics and style of play were a breath of fresh air.
“Sometimes it does take a bit of time just to get used to it and at the start of the season I think that was a bit difficult. But we adapted and got stronger and stronger,” Bale added.
Bale will be key to Spurs’ hopes of going one better than recent seasons and securing a Champions League place in 2013-14.
Tottenham will also need to have a good summer in the transfer market, something they managed to achieve last year. The signing of Brazil international Leandro Damiao from Internacional would be a good start.
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