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Gareth Bale unlikely to make Tottenham return, says agent Jonathan Barnett

Gareth Bale during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 22, 2019
Image: Gareth Bale is happy in Spain, says his agent Jonathan Barnett

Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett says he does not think his client will ever return to Tottenham.

The Wales international left Spurs for Real Madrid in 2013 for a then world-record £85m.

Barnett, who has often defended Bale in public after recent difficulties in the Spanish capital, says a move back to Spurs is not likely.

Asked whether it will ever happen, he told talkSPORT: "I don't think so, no. He's in a very fortunate position.

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"When his contract is up hopefully he will sit down with me and his family and decide what he wants to do. Gareth is very happy over there.

"And let's be realistic, for most clubs he is out of their league, financially.

"It is all well and good to say, 'Go and give up that money and go and play somewhere else', but it is not all about money. It is about his lifestyle and his children, who have grown up in Madrid."

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Gareth Bale made 146 appearances for Spurs and scored 42 goals
Image: Gareth Bale made 146 appearances for Spurs and scored 42 goals

There was strong speculation linking Bale with a return to Tottenham last month, with reports suggesting the two clubs were in dialogue, and that Daniel Levy visited Madrid for talks.

While the Spurs chairman may have been in the Spanish capital, Barnett insists the north London club did not make a bid for Bale.

"No. He [Levy] may have [visited Madrid], it's not for me to say whether he did or didn't," Barnett said.

"A lot has been said by people who don't know anything about what is going on. You get articles by people who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about."

Bale's future has come under constant speculation ever since Zinedine Zidane's return to the club and the 30-year-old travelled to China in the summer transfer window before a move collapsed at the 11th hour.

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He has had a fractious relationship with fans and was left out of the Madrid derby last week for tactical reasons.

Barnett insists Bale is happy in Spain and wants to see out his contract at the Bernabeu.

"Gareth believes there is still a future there for him," he added. "He has two-and-a-half more years there, he has a wife and three children who are happy.

"He is still a very important part of Real Madrid. The only people who know what are going on are Zinedine Zidane, Gareth and the president of Real Madrid. They know what is going on."

Meanwhile Bale has launched a new esports organisation called Ellevens Esports, with a team from the franchise set to make their debut at the FIFA eClub World Cup in Milan this week.

The venture is co-owned by Bale and 38 Entertainment Group, founded by investor Jonathan Kark and former footballer Larry Cohen.

Bale has also invited gamers from around the world to participate in a talent hunt where they will be given a chance to sign a professional contract with Ellevens Esports.

"There are similarities between football and esports in that it takes real dedication and sacrifice to reach the top of your game," Bale said in a statement.

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