Real in talks to seal Bale deal, Ancelotti admits

Real Madrid are in talks to buy Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale, coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed, amid widespread speculation that the Wales international is poised to move to Spain for a world record fee.

"It is difficult to talk about Bale because at the moment he is not a Real Madrid player," Ancelotti told a news conference at Real's training camp in Los Angeles.

"I believe the club is in talks to find a solution and we will see what happens," said the Italian, adding that he had not spoken to the forward. "I am not used to talking about players who are not in my team and it would not be right to do so."

According to media reports in Spain and England, Real are leading the chase for Bale and are prepared to offer Spurs what would be a world-record fee of £85 million (HK$1 billion) for the 24-year-old.

It would eclipse the fee of around £80 million (HK$944 million) the world's richest club by income agreed to pay Manchester United for Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

Bale left Tottenham Hotspur's training ground on Wednesday after reportedly telling manager Andre Villas-Boas of his desire to join Real, Sky Sports in Britain reported.