Transfer news: Gareth Bale expected to leave Tottenham by tomorrow - at least Real Madrid think so as they prepare stadium for his presentation

Pictures have emerged in Spain of a stage being erected within the Santiago Bernabeu which is normally used to announce the Spanish clubs latest signings

Jack de Menezes
Friday 23 August 2013 17:08 BST
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Gareth Bale pictured watching Wales in action
Gareth Bale pictured watching Wales in action (GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing the directors’ box in the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of Gareth Bale’s imminent arrival, with the Spanish club hoping to announce the signing of the Tottenham winger tomorrow.

Spanish newspaper AS has obtained pictures of a stage being erected beside the Bernabeu pitch, often seen when the Spanish club announce their latest signings, and fans will remember the 80,000 that turned up at the historic stadium to witness the unveiling of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka in 2009.

The transfer saga surrounding Bale has been up-and-down across the last couple of days, with the will he/won’t he question never more appropriate through the entire summer.

Real officials had been determined to push the deal through this weekend, and Spurs were willing to sell as they closed in on Aznhi attacking midfielder Willian as a suitable replacement.

However, Chelsea’s late bid for the Brazilian on Thursday night infuriated Spurs chairman, and he reportedly considered calling off the Bale talks unless a replacement could be found. When Jose Mourinho spoke in a press conference earlier today, he gave the nod to say William had chosen to join the Blues, threatening to completely derail Bale’s move.

The Welshman has been determined to move to Real since informing Levy he needed to take this “once in a lifetime opportunity”, as described by former Madrid favourite and current assistant coach Zinedine Zidane.

Bale became unhappy with Levy’s stubbornness in refusing to sell the 24-year-old, and the move looked to be stalling towards a collapse earlier this week, but it now seems that real remain confident that they will get their man sooner rather than later.

Stadium tours have also been postponed tomorrow, leading many to expect some sort of event at the Bernabeu, and with Real Madrid’s next fixture away to Granada on Monday, there would be plenty of time between now and then to announce that you’ve broken the world-record transfer fee for the third time in four years.

Click HERE to see pictures of the Santiago Bernabeu directors' box being prepared

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