Gareth Bale did not appear for Tottenham Hotspur's Saturday game against Espanyol, but coach Andre Villas-Boas did not seem to mind his top player's continued absence from the club.
"I don't think Gareth was here today ... it's not an obligation [because he is injured]," Villas-Boas said. "The only thing I can say about the stories [about Real] is that I am not going to comment. The only thing I can tell you is that the player is under medical department treatment on this pain in the foot that has been disturbing him."
Bale is suffering from a gluteal injury and reportedly has a foot problem that could keep him off the pitch next Sunday in the team's first Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
"Gareth is training on his own so there is a possibility that he makes a recovery," Villas-Boas said.
"He is far, far off in terms of fitness regarding what the others have done because he has stopped for three weeks, since the last time he played for Tottenham, so I wouldn't expect [him to play against Palace.]"
Bale has been the most talked about player this summer, with Real Madrid actively pursuing him. The Spanish giants reportedly offered 100 million pounds for the Welshman's services, but have not received a response.
Recent comments from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez indicate the team may be losing its patience.
"If I do not talk about names, I do not talk about money. [But] €100 million seems a lot to me, a lot for everything. I do not talk about players nor money because I should not and cannot, out of respect," he hinted about the Bale negotiations.
The transfer window ends on Aug. 31.
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