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Villas-Boas suggests Bale set to sign new Spurs deal

Andre Villas-Boas and Gareth Bale have clearly bonded while working together © Getty Images

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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has fuelled the speculation that talisman Gareth Bale may be about to sign a new contract with the club, even if Spurs miss out on Champions League qualification in the final week of this season.

After reports suggested that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is preparing to offer Bale a new deal that would shatter the club's current wage structure in a bid to keep him out of the clutches of Real Madrid and other possible suitors, Villas-Boas has now suggested his star turn is worthy of an improved deal after a series of sparkling displays in recent months.

After speaking spoke warmly about Bale at a Football Writers' Player of the Year dinner staged in his honour, Villas-Boas is confident that his 23-year-old match winner is not showing any signs of being unsettled and believes he would be worthy of bumper new contract.

"It would be good [if he signs a new contract]," stated the Spurs boss. "We are very calm about all the speculation. He deserves it after the season he had. It would be excellent reward for the season he has had (if he got a new deal)."

Villas-Boas confirmed Bale was 'knocking on his door' earlier in the season as he pushed his claims to be given a central striking role in the Spurs line-up, with the subsequent decision to play him in a free-roaming role reaping huge dividends as Tottenham pushed for a top-four finish.

"I had Gareth knocking on my door once, not crying, but he was complaining a little bit," added Villas-Boas. "He said he wanted me to help him to enjoy his football a little more.

"We had a good conversation. Hopefully it turned out well for both of us. From that moment onwards his drive, his passion and his ambition towards the height of elite football has been immense and it shows through the great season he has had.

"Gareth deserves all the awards that have been coming his way because his form and consistency this season have been incredible."

Villas-Boas went on to urge his club to back him in the transfer market regardless of his side's success in their chase of Champions League football in the final two games of the campaign, as he insisted Tottenham need to build on the progress they have made this season.

"We have to understand that if we don't make it we won't make it in the future," he added. "You always have to progress with that in mind. I think the budget might be different because the money that is available from the Champions League is different, but the commitment from the club must be the same.

"If you want to bridge that gap you have to invest, you have to create conditions to be in there the next year. In my opinion and my perspective, one thing shouldn't and won't depend on what is obtained this season."

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