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Gareth Bale 'undergoes medical at Real Madrid training ground' ahead of Tottenham transfer
Tottenham are on the verge of bringing Gareth Bale back to the club from Real Madrid, seven years after his world-record £85million departure in 2013.
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Gareth Bale has reportedly undergone a medical at Real Madrid's training ground Valdebebas ahead of his proposed return to Tottenham. The two clubs are said to be close to concluding a deal which will see the Welshman return to north London on an initial loan worth a total of just under £20million.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was keen for a permanent deal but as it stands, Tottenham are prepared to settle for a loan before assessing the picture at the end of the season.
The move has materialised quickly given that many suggested it was so difficult to do due to Bale's £600,000-a-week salary.
Yet it now seems Real Madrid are ready to pay half of that to get the 31-year-old off their books as he looks to get his career back on track.
Bale is currently waiting for the green light to travel to London to put the finishing touches on his sensational return to the Premier League.
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According to beIN SPORTS' broadcaster Djamel Djabali, the star has already undergone a medical in Madrid.
Djabali, who has over half a million followers, tweeted: "News that Bale underwent a medical examination in Valdebebas, the first step for his move to Tottenham..."
Bale has been pictured at Valdebebas in the past few days. On Tuesday night he left the complex just 27 minutes in to Real Madrid's friendly with Getafe behind closed doors.
He is carrying a knee issue though and was never expected to play in the private match behind closed doors.
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His Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Reguilon is set to join him at Tottenham and the left-back is in England for his medical which should take place today.
Jose Mourinho remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the club's interest in Bale yesterday but did admit he is a big fan of the winger and tried to sign him during his time as Manchester United boss.
"He is a Real Madrid player and I don't comment on players from other clubs. I have to respect that. It's better not to speak," Mourinho said.
"I tried to sign him for Real Madrid, which was not possible to do during my time there. But the president followed my instinct and my knowledge and the season I left he brought Gareth to the club. It's not a secret, even Gareth knows that."
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett confirmed to Sky Sports News yesterday that his client had spoken to Mourinho about the prospect of returning to Spurs, something that now looks like a matter of when, not if.
“There’s a long way to go on some issues, but without doubt Gareth is closer to leaving Madrid than at any time in the last seven years,” Barnett said.
“The deal is complicated, but there’s reason to believe a deal is close and things could move very quickly if discussions continue to go well.
“Gareth has spoken to Jose and explained how Spurs have a special place in his heart.”