Gareth Bale Transfer Rumors: Real Madrid Planning Bid On Tottenham Star?

According to a report by Spanish publication El Confidencial, Madrid is prepping a £38 million bid to bring the Welshman to the Bernabeu.

This is the second time in the past week that Bale has been tied to Los Blancos. The 23-year-old winger is fifth in the Premier League with 13 goals this season, including four in Tottenham’s last three games.

Since landing at White Hart Lane in 2007, Bale has steadily improved his scoring each season and has already surpassed his 15 goals in all competitions from last year.

Spurs team manager Andre Villas-Boas has compared Bale’s talent to Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and said last week his club would have to make Champions League in order to hold on to its top player. Tottenham is currently in fourth place, with a four-point lead over Arsenal, for the final qualification spot in the 2013-2014 Champions League.

The report also said Los Blancos would sell defender Fabio Coentrao in order to cover Bale’s fee. In that scenario, Madrid would be giving up one of their young defenders of the future in order to bolster La Liga’s second best offense.

Coentrao is currently valued at £16 million, while Bale’s is pegged at £37 million. Madrid reportedly considered packaging a £50 million offer for Bale, a huge sum that might be too enticing for Tottenham reject.

Madrid were also linked to Bale in the fall, with Jose Mourinho’s side evidently having the first option to sign Bale should Spurs decide to sell.

Mourinho conceded a few weeks ago that his club is out of reach of the La Liga title, standing 16 points behind Barcelona. Adding Bale would give Madrid a stronger chance of dethroning the Catalans next season.