• Premier League

Redknapp warns suitors off 'unplayable' Bale

December 28, 2011
Gareth Bale was the star for Spurs against Norwich © Getty Images
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Harry Redknapp says Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the only clubs who could afford to buy Gareth Bale, but warned any interested party that the Wales star is not for sale after watching him tear Norwich apart on Tuesday.

Bale scored both goals at Carrow Road as Spurs moved to within seven points of the Premier League summit with an easy 2-0 win over Paul Lambert's team.

Barcelona have watched the 22-year-old this season and the player himself has admitted that he would be interested in a move to the continent in the future. But after spending all summer fending off interest in Luka Modric, Tottenham are determined to hang on to their best players, and for that reason Redknapp insists Bale is going nowhere.

"It would only be a Barcelona, a Man City or Real Madrid who would be able to pay for him," Redknapp said. "They are the only ones who could afford to pay the transfer fee and his wages, but he isn't for sale. The chairman has said he isn't for sale.

"If we sell him we've had it haven't we? If you're looking to go somewhere you don't go and sell a player like him."

Bale excelled in a more central role where he played as the left-sided prong in a three-man attack that also included Rafael van der Vaart and targetman Emmanuel Adebayor.

Redknapp was delighted that the move came off, saying: "I played him and Rafa up there, rather than sticking him out on left wing because when he picks it up and runs at you through the middle and he pops up in positions between midfield and defence, it's difficult to pick him up. When he finds those holes he is unplayable."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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