LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas said the club could fine forward Gareth Bale for failing to attend training ahead of an expected world record “dream” move to Real Madrid.
Bale, who has not been training with the squad due to injury, was granted three days off but did not report back to the club on Tuesday despite being pictured in London.
“(We) gave the player the weekend off, Monday was a day off for the squad, obviously he is involved in a big transfer move to Real Madrid, in the end if it happens we wish him all the best,” Villas-Boas told reporters yesterday.
“He left here with great memories and the fact that he hasn’t turned up, I don’t think it is the correct behaviour, but in the end that’s the position of pressure and... that’s the position that he chose to take.
“It’s up to the club now to decide if it’s a fineable offence.”
Speculation about Bale’s move to nine-times European champions Madrid has mounted in recent weeks, and Villas-Boas acknowledged that the deal should be sealed before the transfer window closes on September 2.
“At the moment the two clubs are speaking, Tottenham and Real Madrid, a final decision or final statement and drafts of the contracts, I’m not sure how much time it’s going to take.
“It could happen very, very soon, it might not happen so soon, so I suppose it could happen on the last day, it could happen in the next two days, I’m not sure.”
Wales international Bale enjoyed a stunning Premier League campaign last season, scoring 21 goals in 33 league appearances, and appeared to thrive in a free-role under Villas-Boas.
Despite that, the Portuguese coach said he did not feel let down by the ongoing saga amid reports of a world record $133.64m transfer to Madrid.
“What is happening is a dream move for him...” said Villas-Boas.
AFP
