The battle for Gareth Bale continues between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur as Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas recently shot back at Madrid's boss Carlo Ancelotti for revealing talks between Bale and the club.
"Carlo is a person I appreciate a lot and we have great respect for each other, but bearing in mind this situation they have decided to make it public," said Villas-Boas, according to ESPN.com. "Normally in situations like this it is scrutinized by the Football Association with lots of care and attention. We have seen lots of people speak about a player that is not theirs and we are due some respect."
Villas-Boas noted that Bale could remain with the club and was adamant that the move was not close.
"These rumors of an imminent transfer are not true. The only thing we have communicated with Real Madrid is that he is our player and he is not for sale.
"Gareth is a guy I really like. We are talking with Real Madrid because there is respect between the two clubs following the transfer last season of Luka Modric," he added. "We are building a great team for next season. We envisage the future with Gareth. But we know that in football anything is possible."
Ancelotti told reporters that the club was working on a plan to bring the Welshman to Spain.
"It is difficult to talk about Bale because at the moment he is not a Real Madrid player, but I believe the club is in talks to find a solution and we will see what happens," stated Ancelotti, according to ESPN. "I am not used to talking about players who are not in my team and it would not be right to do so."