While many believe that Real Madrid's acquisition of Gareth Bale is a foregone conclusion, new reports indicate that the club could look to sell the star to a different team.
According to Sky Sports, "Tottenham are considering offers for Gareth Bale from more than one club and insist they have yet to agree a deal with Real Madrid."
BBC Sports reported the same story and noted that Manchester United could be the team to win the Bale sweepstakes.
Madrid blog Managing Madrid responded to the rumors by noting that such a deal is unlikely for a number of reasons. Tottenham has opened the season with two wins and could be on its way to competing for the Premier League title and Champions League berth. Selling Bale to the defending Premier League champs would likely hamper their chances. Moreover, the team is keen to cash in on its top star; this would enable the club to purchase other players down the line to potentially help with the aforementioned goals.
Bale reportedly traveled to Spain to sort out the deal but other sources have indicated that he has in fact returned to London.
The impending Madrid trade has created a great deal of controversy in recent days as Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino have exchanged attacks.
Martino started the battle when he called the price a "lack of respect." Ancelotti also fired back. "They were words that I did not understand...He is not here very long, and does not understand European football and how his own club works, because Barcelona have bought players paying money ... I do not want to speak about this, but I believe his words were a little strange," said Ancelotti.