Bale subject of 'big money bid' during the summer according to Toshack

[aws_young]

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.

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 on Friday, would not confirm which club had made an approach when he spoke glowingly of the player at a press conference on Thursday.

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."

Wales begin their latest attempt to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1958 on Friday with confidence as Bale combines with talisman Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy, 31, is now back in the international fold after missing five of seven matches last season for a various reasons and is looking forward to linking with Bale.

"He's an incredible player," said Bellamy, who recently joined Cardiff on loan from Manchester City.

"In January he wasn't playing. He had three or four months, an incredible end to the season, and he has just carried it on.

"For me he is immense. I believe he is one of the top players in the Premier League, without doubt.

"To have him in our team, in the form he is, is great."

Bale is the shining light of a group of youngsters Toshack has blooded in recent years following the retirements of a number of senior players.

The team remains in transition but Toshack believes his youngsters are now experienced enough to make an impact in a Euro 2012 qualifying group that also includes England, Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Toshack said: "The side that plays tomorrow, as much as they are young players, have got quite a number of caps under their belts now. They are not really rookies."

Wayne Hennessey will start in goal for Wales against Montenegro in Podgorica after being given the nod ahead of Boaz Myhill.

Defender Craig Morgan is a slight doubt with a foot injury but Toshack is confident he will be fit.

Interesting, I doubt it would be Man City, as it would hamper the progression of Adam Johnson, so we must be looking at either Chelsea or Man United. Arsenal wouldn't dare, and no-one else could afford him.

 

[Misfit]

Assuming it's an English club.

 

[aws_young]

True...

 

[beats1]

A guy on bluemoon was claiming to be itk and he was saying that their top target for LB was bale and that we told them to fook off

 

[Misfit]

True...

Despite being skint, Real or Barca can always rustle up the odd £40M or £50M when needed.

I would hope they'd be told to go fish, even then.

If he is to be sold though, I'd rather lose a couple of mill on his rpice and sell him to a foreign club. We simply must stop selling to the likes of manure. Losing a couple of mill more than makes up for weakening ourselves and simultaneously strengthening clubs in the prem who we have to compete against.

 

[THOWIG]

It was Manchester City. We said no so they said "well you can't have any of our players so neh!"

 

[spur_souljah]

POTL mentioned Man utd coming in for him, wish they would just piss off.. As for toshack theres really no need for him to bring this up hes an international manager not bales spokesman regarding transfer gossip..

 

[voodoo]

my guess is R Madrid....

 

[Beni]

If it was Man City, it would have been public knowledge to everyone ,as they seem to track there targets and publicise it through the media channels putting pressure on the selling club with constant rumours and stories regarding there interest.

Think it would have been Real Madrid, as Mourinho has publicly come out and said he would be interested in Bale.

 

[elvis7754]

fug orf toschak

 

[jolegend]

Mourinho loves bale. Madrid need a left back. Simples.

 

[beals]

Hope he's here for a long time to come.

 

[3Dnata]

Why on earth Tosspotack has brought this up I don't know.It's the type of thing that could make club managers rather angry.

 

[Kendall]

It was Man United.

 

[MattyP]

It was Man United.

It was indeed ManYoo

 

[Arazi440]

Highly annoying of him to bring it up, you dont need to be a genius to work out other clubs are probably looking at Bale and his form for us, and to play down Harry's involvement in Bales progression is downright disrespectful imo, Bale did wonders for Wales when he broke into the team but has been below par for a few seasons for the national side, so Tosh, instead of dumbing down Harrys achievements how about bigging him up Jerk !!!!!

 

[SlickMongoose]

He shouldn't slag off Harry too often, unless he wants Bale to get lots of mysterious niggling injuries just before Wales games.

 

[bomberH]

Toshack is a massive ****. He managed to undo all the good work Hughes did for Wales and he's a wanker for even mentioning this where there's obviously no need to.

Saying that, if Harry was England manager, he'd be saying this sort of thing all the time :lol:

 

[Welshiespursboyo]

Well ole bacon face can fuck right off.

 

[DoublePivot]

I could see City and United interested but I think Madrid would be the bid we couldn't stop.