• Premier League

Levy hints Bale deal far from done

Former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle believes Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has not entirely given up hope of keeping Gareth Bale at the club, as the confusion over his protracted move to Real Madrid continues.

Bale is back in London after spending the weekend in Spain, ahead of what many expected to be his unveiling as the world's costliest footballer at a Real presentation on Tuesday, yet the delay in the conclusion of the deal has sparked confusion both in Spain and England.

Now Hoddle has thrown a fresh dimension on the story as he has revealed details of a conversation he had with Levy after Sunday's Premier League win over Swansea, in which the chief decision maker at Spurs insisted he had not yet agreed to sell his talisman to Real Madrid.

"I was at the Swansea game at the weekend and had a good chat with Daniel Levy," Hoddle told talkSPORT. "He is ambitious and believes, if Bale was to stay, that Tottenham could go on and do something really strong in the Premier League.

"It's difficult for Daniel to stop a player joining Real Madrid. When they come knocking, and the lad wants to go, it's difficult to say no."

Hoddle was impressed with the physical qualities within the Tottenham side he witnessed beat Swansea 1-0, but he believes they are some way short of gelling into a complete team unit.

"It's all right spending money and getting players in, but they need a player who can unlock the door for them from an offensive perspective," Hoddle said.

"I've never seen a Spurs side look so powerful physically but they need someone, dare I say it like Gareth Bale, who can change the game.

"Now, if they are preparing for life without Bale, then they definitely need to go into the market and buy a replacement who can open the door, but you can't pick that sort of player up easily.

"I get the feeling there's more business to be done though. Levy wants to strengthen the squad. They needed Willian, but he's gone to Chelsea, and he must get someone who can unlock the door."

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