Uncertainty Grows Over Gareth Bale's Future at Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale's future at Tottenham Hotspur remains uncertain after Brazilian midfielder Paulinho admitted to being in the dark over the winger's long-term future at White Hart Lane amid reports an £85m deal with Real Madrid has been struck.

Sky Italia understand Madrid have had a world-record bid for the Wales international accepted, a deal which includes full-back Fabio Coentrao moving to White Hart Lane as a sweetener in the deal.

Bale's future at Tottenham has been the central narrative of the summer transfer window and while Andre Villas-Boas has played down the possibility of the Welshman leaving the club, a resolution appears imminent.

And new signing Paulinho, who made his Tottenham debut in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the Premier League has shrouded further doubt over Bale's future by claiming he doesn't know where the 24 year old's future lies.

"I sincerely don't know, but I think this is something more private for Bale, he doesn't tell me anything," Paulinho said.

"But I hope he continues with us, so that he can help us. He is a great player and achieved great stats last season, so I hope he stays with us."

Despite encountering early fitness and form problems upon his move from Southampton to north London, Bale has quickly become one of the most feared footballers in world football and his effort were last season recognised by the award of both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year prizes.

While Bale has kept silent during the summer months over his future, he has made no secret of his desire to play abroad at some stage in his career.

Bale, who missed much of Tottenham's pre-season schedule with respective buttock and foot problems, has been ruled out of the first week of the campaign, which will see him absent for the Europa League play-off first leg against Dinamo Tbilisi and the Premier League game against Swansea City.

Villas-Boas has cited fitness problems as the reason behind his omission this week however Wales manager Chris Coleman last week said Bale was mentally unprepared to play for Wales in their friendly international against the Republic of Ireland.