Sir Keith Mills

“We very much want Bale to stay." But, when pressed, he accepts: “If a player is desperate to leave, it’s very difficult to force him to stay. We’ve seen it in other clubs. Even if he has a contract, you can’t force somebody to play for you."

Mills agrees Tottenham are in a Catch-22. If they’re not in the Champions League, Bale may not stay. But, to get into the Champions League, they need players like Bale.

“That’s precisely the issue," he says. “So this summer, we are investing in a great squad and we hope that provides us with Champions League football next year and we start to win trophies, FA Cups. That’s what Tottenham need. We have made some good acquisitions."

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-director-we-want-gareth-bale-to-stay-but-if-hes-desperate-to-go-we-cant-force-him-to-play-for-us-8747976.html

Admittedly this was a couple of weeks ago but from all accounts Bale isn't desperate to leave, certainly not desperate enough to go to the press. Could be he's let his agent do the talking for him, but there's been no direct quotes at all. I think it's all still up in the air. I can't see it happening unless they come up with the money.. which appears unlikely as they owe us for Modric and their biggest asset is CR7.

Ronaldo to United? can't see it myself.

Sir Keith seems pretty clear that we are investing on the basis of keeping Bale while being realistic that we might lose him. If we get Willian he would almost be restricted to a RW role, and now there's talk of Lamela.. we'd have to be favourites for fourth place and the Europa even if Bale goes. Someone quoted a net spend of 35m so far, signing those two would take us close to 95m quoted..

Without Lamela though it's closer to the war chest promised to Harry, Bale scores 40 goals this season, gets his move next summer.. everyone's a winner

and we get Coentrao in the meantime for the inconvenience

Either way the board have clearly decided it's time to spend, and we're able to attract some top names in world football. Happy days