Gareth Bale Fails to Clear Up Tottenham Hotspur Future

Gareth Bale missed the chance to shed light over his future at Tottenham Hotspur to further swell suggestions regarding an imminent move to Real Madrid.

The 24 year old is on international duty with Wales but won't feature in the friendly against Republic of Ireland with a foot injury.

Bale has missed much of pre-season with respective buttock and foot problems but will remain with his Welsh teammates this week before returning to Tottenham ahead of the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said Bale is not in his thinking ahead of the new season but rumours persist regarding a potential move to the Spanish capital or Manchester United, who are reportedly ready to re-enter the race for the two-time PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Amid ample speculation regarding his future Bale refused to clear up his intentions through the remainder of the summer: "I am truly sorry guys but it's not time to speak."

Madrid legend Manolo Sanchis insists the club don't need to sign Bale this summer, despite president Florentino Perez being put under pressure to bring a marque signing to the Bernabeu.

"Is Bale absolutely necessary? I don't think so," Sanchis told Marca.

"But if he comes, he will be a good option, a very good one. The problem is the price.

"I would not link the progress of the youth team players to the signing of Bale," he said.

"At Madrid, both types of player have always had to learn to live together and the results have been good. There are also cases of big signings at the club being shown up by youngsters with less experience."

Though Tottenham boss Villas-Boas is refusing to answer questions regarding Bale's future the dubious nature of his injury, which albeit has forced him out of the friendly with Ireland, suggests the full extent of his future at the club is being downplayed in similar fashion to that of Wayne Rooney at Manchester United and Luis Suarez at Liverpool

Tottenham have added Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chaldi and Paulinho to their squad this summer but their hopes of reclaiming a Champions League place rests on Bale.