Ramos: Bale would suit us

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes Gareth Bale is "in the right mould" to be a star player at the Bernabeu should he ever sign for the Spanish giants.



There has been considerable speculation about the future of the Wales international after Tottenham failed to qualify for the Champions League, with Madrid the most likely destination.



Quoted in The Sun, Ramos said:

"Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He has had an exceptional season. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.



"I am sure Madrid will not be the only team that want to sign him - but he is the right mould for us."



"We fought hard this season, the team and the manager have been great," he said.



"We have got the record points for the club in the Premier League.



"That would normally be enough to qualify for the Champions League, but it's not meant to be again.



"It's disappointing, but we will pick ourselves up again.



"We will just have to regroup this season and give it another go."

Bale rounded off a remarkable year on Sunday by scoring his 26th goal of the season, but his wonder winner against Sunderland was not enough to earn the club Champions League qualification.



The club are understandably keen to hold on to their star man and manager Andre Villas-Boas recently called on the forward to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal at White Hart Lane.



For now, the signs look promising for Tottenham fans. From his comments in the immediate aftermath of the victory over Sunderland, he seemed in no mood to abandon ship and head to Madrid.

AVB : Bale will stay

Andre Villas-Boas has been assured that Tottenham talisman Gareth Bale will be at White Hart Lane next season, regardless of whether Spurs qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The Wales international forward, who added the Football Writers' Association award to his PFA double on Thursday, is one of the most sought-after players in world football having drawn interest from various clubs throughout Europe.

Villas-Boas sparked fears over his future last week as he claimed the Spurs superstar could leave the club this summer if they failed to make the top four.

But the Spurs boss back-tracked on Thursday, stating his comments had been misunderstood, and said he would be surprised if the 23-year-old left White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas said:

"The information that I have from the club, which was mistakenly written about last week, is that the player is here to remain, independent of the objectives of Champions League qualification being achieved or not.

"I would be extremely surprised (if he left).

"In football anything can happen. It's impossible to predict, but this is the assurance I have had from the club.

"We understand that the more awards the more recognition the player will have, the more media attention, but the club has to move forward by holding onto its best players.

"With the recognition and the further experience that he has had from this year, next year for Tottenham he will be even more assertive."

Bale's progress this year has not gone unnoticed by Real Madrid, but Villas-Boas and chairman Daniel Levy are digging their heels in over the player's future.

Villas-Boas added:

"Whatever price tag the player has doesn't matter to us because he's our player.

"He's a player we have to hold onto for the remaining seasons to make sure that we reach our objectives and continue to progress as a club."

The Real hierarchy have always publicly remained coy on the prospect of adding Bale to their squad, but their sporting director Zinedine Zidane heaped praise on the Welshman this week, leading to speculation that a big-money bid could be on the cards.

Such words from a man of Zidane's standing will no doubt have caught Bale's eye, but Villas-Boas has no issue with the Frenchman's comments.

"It's fine, I have no problems with it," Villas-Boas said. "In the end it's great for a player of Zidane's dimension to be speaking about Gareth.

"It's good to have that public recognition from someone who has reached the biggest heights of the game."

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Zidane: Bale fee not an issue

Real Madrid ambassador Zinedine Zidane claims Europe's top clubs would be prepared to spend big on Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale.

The Welsh forward, who recently landed a PFA awards double by being named Player and Young Player of the Year, continues to be heavily linked with a summer move away from White Hart Lane.

Spurs are understandably reluctant to part with their most prized asset, with Bale having helped to fire them into contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

They would demand a sizeable fee if a deal were to be done, but Zidane does not see that being an issue for the sides reported to be leading the hunt for Bale's signature.

The former World Player of the Year said: "After the season he has just had - and still being so young, of course - Gareth Bale is going to be one of the most expensive players in the world if he decides to move.

"Tottenham could demand £40m, £50m, maybe even £60m for him. It is a lot of money, but there are maybe three or four teams in the world that can pay that sort of transfer fee, and it won't put them off.

"A player like Bale can be the difference between a big club winning the league or the Champions League.

"They would be getting the best player in Europe this season - and he is at an age where he can still play at the top for another 10 years."


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Bale dismisses rumours

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has played down talk of a summer move away from White Hart Lane.



Bale was speaking after collecting the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year Award and Young Player of the Year awards.

The 23-year-old's consistent performances have propelled Spurs towards a top four finish this season.

But Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he fears losing the Wales international if the club fail clinch a Champions League spot.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the teams already linked with Bale, but the player insisted his focus is on Tottenham.

Bale said: "I just take no notice, it's all speculation, I can't do anything about it.

"I just concentrate on my football and play as well as I can and do my best for the team."

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Bale scoops PFA awards double

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale has rounded off a remarkable season by becoming the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to do the double at the PFA Player of the Year awards.



Bale beat off competition from Luis Suarez, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Michael Carrick to win the senior gong for the 2012-13 season.



The Welshman also took home the Young Player of the Year award, making him only the third player in history to receive both prizes in the same season.

"It's a massive honour," the Welshman said.



"To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It's great to win it and I am delighted."

Ronaldo scooped both the young player and the main award in 2007, some 30 years after Andy Gray become the first professional to do so.



Bale won the senior award two seasons ago when he shot to fame with a series of scintillating displays domestically and in the Champions League.



But he has gone on to become an even better player since, transforming himself in to a goal scoring machine that has found the net 29 times for club and country so far this season.



The Welshman, whose latest goal came yesterday in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Wigan, dedicated the prize to his team-mates and manager Andre Villas-Boas.

"When you look at the list there are some massive names on it and the other nominees have been unbelievable this year, but I couldn't have done it without the team," Bale said.



"They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager.



"I couldn't have won it without them so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well."



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season" - Gareth Bale

Bale had previously spent most of his career deployed on the left wing, but this term he has played more centrally, which he thinks is the reason why he has scored so many times.

"I have been shooting a lot more, and I have been coming inside a lot more too," he said.



"There are a few goals which I enjoyed. The one against Norwich was one of my favourites, and the West Ham one.



"Those two are my favourites from this season.



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season."

Bale's talents on the pitch are worthy of praise, and his attitude off it has also been complimented.



While Suarez, who was also on the Player of the Year shortlist, has got himself into trouble of late by biting Branislav Ivanovic's arm, PFA chief Gordon Taylor thinks Bale is a good role model to the youth of today.



He said:

"Everyone knows Suarez is a great footballer, I just wish at times he could fall in to line because footballers are role models and Gareth and Robin van Persie are really good examples for the younger generation."

Taylor also is in no doubt about the talents Bale has displayed on the pitch this term.

"Gareth has had a tremendous season, he has had the same impact on Welsh football as Ryan Giggs did. He is part of the Southampton success story."

The Merit award went to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the class of '92 and their coach at the time Eric Harrison.



Arsenal Ladies midfielder Kim Little won the inaugural Women's Player of the Year award.



Little, 22, has been a regular at Arsenal since she joined from Hibernian at the age of 16 and last summer was a part of the British Olympic team at London 2012.



This is the first time that the PFA have handed out a women's award as next year will be the first season that females are allowed to join the organisation.



Little was delighted to be involved in the occasion. The Scot said: "It is a great night for me.

"For various years I have watched this event on television so to come here and win the first award is fantastic."

Bale admits pain issue

Gareth Bale may have to play through the pain barrier in the games that remain this season as he hopes to help Spurs make the top four.

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The 23-year-old, recently named in the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year nominations, has had an outstanding season for Tottenham and took his tally to 23 goals when scoring the third in Sunday's 3-1 win over Manchester City. Bale was back in the side after recovering from ankle ligament damage picked up in the Europa League quarter-final clash against Basel earlier in the month, although he admits he is still in some pain from the injury but plans to play on until the end of the campaign regardless. "It was touch and go whether I was going to play - but thankfully I got through it okay," he said. "It was a bit sore in the first half but I got more confident in the second half. It hurts but it's just about managing it and carrying on." Meanwhile, the Wales international says the spirit Spurs showed when coming from 1-0 down to score three goals in the final 15 minutes against City proves they are up for the challenge of securing a return to the Champions League for next term. "We showed great character and hopefully we can carry that on in the last five games," he added. "It shows the team spirit we have in the dressing room. "We need to keep that character, team spirit and togetherness in the last five games and push for our objectives this season."


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Bale is named in Spurs squad

Manchester City head to Tottenham on Sunday knowing victory is essential to maintain their ever-loosening grasp on the Premier League trophy for a few more days.

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Spurs have named Gareth Bale in their squad ahead of the clash with City and must now decide whether to take a risk on their star man.

Bale, named among the six nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award on Friday, suffered an ankle injury in the first leg of Spurs' Europa League exit at the hands of Basel.

Winger Aaron Lennon is hoping to be back in contention after sustaining a knee injury in the second meeting with the Swiss side.

Manchester City pair David Silva and Sergio Aguero are doubtful for the trip to White Hart Lane with hamstring problems.

Playmaker Silva has missed the last two games after pulling up in the derby win at Manchester United while striker Aguero withdrew as a precaution at half-time of the midweek game against Wigan.



Following defender Micah Richards' successful return from injury in midweek, right-back Maicon (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) could also be in contention.


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Bale injury blow for Tottenham

Tottenham star Gareth Bale was stretchered off during Thursday's Europa League tie with FC Basel at White Hart Lane.



The Welsh winger fell heavily on his right ankle after a challenge from David Degen and was taken straight down the tunnel in agony, with his head in his hands.



The North London outfit face crucial clashes with Everton and Manchester City in their quest to finish in the Premier League's top four, either side of the return leg against Basel, having drawn 2-2 with the Swiss side on Thursday.



The absence of Bale is sure to be sorely felt by Andre Villas Boas and his side, with the injury compounding a miserable evening for Spurs who also lost Aaron Lennon and William Gallas to injury and conceded two away goals.

Zidane says Bale is most impressive player in Europe

Zinedine Zidane says Tottenham's Gareth Bale has impressed him more than any other player in Europe this season.



The Welshman has been in dazzling form this term, scoring 27 times for club and country, and his displays have caught the attention of the former World Cup winner, who has been tipped to join the coaching staff at Real Madrid next season.



Zidane went to watch Bale in Tottenham's Europa League tie against Lyon in February and described him as a "unique" talent due to his combination of pace and technical ability.



He told : "This year the player who's impressed me most is not actually playing in the Champions League. He's playing in 'the other cup' and that's Bale.



"He's unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space.



"Plus, he's very good technically which is also important. We mustn't forget that he plays football very well!



"And he's really impressed me. I've seen him two or three times live, including recently at Lyon, which wasn't necessarily his best game, but where every time he got the ball he can surprise you."



Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas described Bale as "world class" after another man-of-the-match performance against Swansea at the weekend and Zidane agrees he deserves to be spoken about in such terms.



But he doesn't feel the 23-year-old can yet be compared to the likes of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.



"He's perhaps not quite at the level of the other two, but he's different," Zidane added.



"So personally I don't think he's far off."

Bale sits out Wales training

Gareth Bale did not train with the Wales squad on Tuesday but he is expected to be fit to face Scotland in Friday's World Cup qualifier.

Having played 90 minutes for Tottenham on Sunday, Bale is following his own recovery programme before taking a full part in training with the squad.

West Ham United pair Jack Collison and James Collins are following similar recovery schedules.

Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan was also missing from Tuesday's session.

Vaughan, another to play 90 minutes on Sunday as Sunderland drew with Norwich City, is expected to join up with the squad at their base near Cardiff on Wednesday.



Bale needed treatment on an ankle knock during the first half of Spurs' match with Fulham on Sunday, but the 23-year-old was able to finish the match as his side lost 1-0 at home.

Wales have given no indication of any doubts over Bale's availability to face Scotland at Hampden Park on Friday, where Chris Coleman's side will be looking to build on recent encouraging performances.

"We think he is going to be fit, he is in and around the team and will be training in the next couple of days with Friday in mind," said striker Sam Vokes.

"It is fantastic to play alongside him, the last couple of goals I have scored for Wales have come from his assists, and in the Scotland game here he turned the game on its head.

"He has been different class for club and country for a while now, every game he plays in he is excellent and he will be a big player for us on Friday."

Wales secured their first win of the qualifying campaign in October as Bale scored twice, including a stunning winner a minute from time, to beat Scotland.

In their last outing, Bale was again the dominant force as he scored one and created the second for Vokes in a 2-1 friendly win over Austria in Swansea.

Sandwiched between those games was a 2-0 away defeat by Croatia, who Wales play again four days after facing Scotland.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen (shoulder) and Leeds United striker Steve Morison (calf) are the only players to have pulled out of Coleman's original squad for the qualifying double-header.

Striker Jermaine Easter, on loan at Millwall from Crystal Palace, and Bristol City defender Lewin Nyatanga have been drafted in as cover.

Messi keen on Bale and Rooney

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hinted he would relish the prospect of playing alongside Premier League stars Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney.



Rooney was omitted from the Manchester United line-up against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, sparking frenzied speculation about his future at Old Trafford.



While Bale is among the most in-demand players in Europe after scoring 24 goals for club and country so far this season.



Messi admits he would welcome the chance to play in the same team as either player in the future.



"Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale are both great players, they are doing so well for their clubs," the 25-year-old Argentine forward told the Daily Mail.



"And I always want to play with the best players.



"I have to be careful what I say because I can't see them leaving their teams soon.



"But, of course, I want to play with the best players."