Jose Mourinho has weighed in on the Gareth Bale imbroglio and is reportedly keen to kickstart a Spurs pursuit for the controversial Welshman in a bid to bring the forward back to north London.
Bale starred at White Hart Lane between 2007 and 2013 before leaving for Madrid in a then world record fee of £86million.
The Spurs boss has long been an admirer of Bale and is keen to use his first summer at the club to shape the squad to his liking.
According to ElEspanyol, Bale has not been left with many options with the obvious two being either stagnating at Madrid or returning to Tottenham and Mourinho is keen to offer Bale a chance to get his career back on track having been largely kept on ice at the Bernabeu under manager Zinedine Zidane.
The Portuguese had previously tried to sign the Wales star while he was in charge at Manchester United ahead of a pre-season friendly between the Red Devils and Madrid in the United States in 2017.
It is Mourinho’s hope now that the Welshman’s situation at the Bernabeu may force him to consider a move as he enters the autumn of his career at 31-years of age.
Bale’s place in the Wales national team is likely to be safe no matter how little he features next season although it is possible he may feel he needs more game time to prepare for Euro 2020 next summer.
A huge stumbling block that has prevented Bale from leaving Madrid has been all potential suitors baulking at his astronomical £350,000-a-week wages after tax, a figure far in excess of Tottenham’s operating window, with Harry Kane the highest earner at the club on £200,000-a-week.
Despite his limited appearances at Madrid, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has consistently stated his client is happy to remain at the Bernabeu for the duration of his contract.
Bale still has another two years to run with Madrid who are desperate to sell a player who featured just 20 times last season, contributing three goals and two assists.