The January transfer window closes in less than a week and Tottenham have still got plenty to do.
Spurs are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, having failed to net more than two goals in each of their last 12 games – going completely scoreless in a third of those matches.
Gareth Bale – he scores goals, right? Indeed, the Welshman has hit more than 100 for Real Madrid since leaving Tottenham for Spain in 2013.
And, according to The Express, Spurs are working around the clock in an attempt to re-sign Bale, 30, before Friday’s deadline.
The report states that a loan deal has been ruled out, so Spurs are doing all they can to land Bale on a permanent basis – although his £650,000-a-week represent a huge hurdle.
Bale’s fitness record is far from perfect, but he would still be a dream signing.
Although Real boss Zinedine Zidane seems to have demoted him from his former position as a key first-team star, Bale still frequently delivers when called upon.
In the past three seasons, he has chipped in with 26 La Liga goals and seven assists in 4,434 minutes – that’s effectively a goal contribution every 1.5 full game.
He also has six goals and four assists in his last 16 Champions League appearances – seven of which have come as a sub.