EPL Transfers: Bale Close To Tottenham Return, Villa Sign Arsenal's Martinez

16th September 2020

It has been reported that Spurs and Manchester United are interested in signing Bale but Jose Mourinho appears to be leading the race to land the 31-year-old

n this file photo taken on May 19, 2013 Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane in north London. Gareth Bale's agents are talking to Tottenham about a deal that would see the Real Madrid forward return to his former club. PHOTO | AFP
n this file photo taken on May 19, 2013 Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane in north London. Gareth Bale's agents are talking to Tottenham about a deal that would see the Real Madrid forward return to his former club. PHOTO | AFP
SUMMARY
  • Gareth Bale's agent says the Real Madrid forward is "close" to a move back to Tottenham but admitted it is a complicated deal to thrash out.
  • The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and said earlier this month that he was open to returning to the Premier League.
  • Aston Villa announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Wednesday for a reported fee of £20 million ($26 million).

LONDON, United Kingdom- Gareth Bale's agent says the Real Madrid forward is "close" to a move back to Tottenham but admitted it is a complicated deal to thrash out.

The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and said earlier this month that he was open to returning to the Premier League.

It has been reported that Spurs and Manchester United are interested in signing Bale but Jose Mourinho appears to be leading the race to land the 31-year-old.

"It's close but not done," Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett told AFP. "It's a complicated deal." 

Bale has two years left on a contract that pays him a reported salary of about £600,000 ($775,000) a week at Real.

It has been reported the Spanish club would be willing to pay some of that salary to finally move on from their troubled relationship with the forward.

Bale left Tottenham for Real in 2013 for a then world-record fee of £85 million.

He has won four Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns during his time in Spain, but his turbulent relationship with Zidane has left him a peripheral player.

Aston Villa announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Wednesday for a reported fee of £20 million ($26 million).

The 28-year-old Argentine, who has signed a four-year deal, helped Arsenal to FA Cup victory last season and Community Shield glory last month but faced playing second fiddle to Bernd Leno.

Villa boss Dean Smith said: "We are really pleased with the signing of our new goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

"We know how highly Arsenal rated him and we watched his outstanding performances last season in a trophy-winning top side.

"We moved for Emi when we saw the opportunity, as it is rare to be able to buy a top-class goalkeeper who hasn't yet reached their peak age and who can therefore be a key player for our club for the long term."