DAVID PLEAT: GARETH BALE'S AGENT IS OUT OF ORDER

ABOVE: Gareth Bale is wanted by Real Madrid after a sensational season for club and country

Tottenham have made it absolutely clear, and I believe it, that Gareth will not go anywhere before next season.

David Pleat

2nd June 2013

By Harry Pratt

GARETH BALES’s chances of joining Real Madrid this summer may have been damaged by his agent’s midweek outburst.

That’s the view of ex-Tottenham boss David Pleat in the wake of Jonathan Barnett’s comments seemingly encouraging the Spanish giants to make a move for the Welsh wonder.

Pleat believes Barnett’s ­interview on Tuesday with a TV station in Madrid was nothing more than a sales pitch on behalf of the ­£80million-rated Bale.

Pleat, who has had four different spells in charge at Spurs, said: “I know Jonathan well.

“He is opinionated and he is a salesman, which all agents are and he is talking up his player, who he has represented since his ­Southampton days.

“He has done a good job for Bale – but Bale has done a good job himself.

“Gareth is still a young man, he is calm and not chasing to go abroad too early.”

Yet in a veiled warning, Pleat added: “But I am sure Tottenham will dig their heels in if they feel there is some antagonism from an outside third party trying to push the deal on.

“Tottenham have made it absolutely clear, and I believe it, that Gareth will not go anywhere before next season.”

Pleat added: “Let Madrid decide to have a discussion if they want and then Tottenham can rebuff that discussion in their own time.

“Maybe in a year from now, if he has another good season, Gareth may go.”