Gareth Bale transfer talk no distraction for Tottenham
Spurs boss Villas-Boas says he won't let talk of Wales winger transfer with Real affect their home match against Swansea as his team build
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists the crescendo of transfer speculation surrounding Gareth Bale will distract his team in today's Premier League clash against Swansea.
Bale will be absent from White Hart Lane as the Wales winger moves closer to joining Real Madrid for a world record fee of around £85 million (HK$1.02 billion).
Speculation was rife on Friday that Bale would be unveiled in Madrid after the Spanish giants erected a stage at their Bernabeu stadium home, but it is believed Spurs are unwilling to rubber-stamp the transfer until they have signed at least one player to fill the Welshman's position.
And that means Bale's dream move could be on hold for a few more days as Spurs' preparations for Swansea's visit have also played out to the background of Brazilian striker Willian's on-off move to the club.
Tottenham believed they had struck a £30 million deal with Anzhi Makhachkala for the playmaker only for Chelsea to move had undergone a medical at Spurs.
With a host of other players linked with a move to the club, including Erik Lamela of AS Roma, the meeting with Swansea will provide a welcome distraction for Villas-Boas and his players.