Source: PA
Ardiles: Spurs will hang on to Bale
Ossie Ardiles admits Europe's top clubs will all have Gareth Bale in their sights this summer but the Tottenham legend is confident that the club will hang on to their star winger.
Bale has seen his stock rise incredibly after a series of fine performances this season, the highlight of which was in the Londoners' 3-1 victory over Inter Milan when the Wales midfielder completely outclassed the man regarded by many as the best right-back in the world - Brazil's Maicon.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini predicted on Wednesday that Bale would be the subject of a series of bids from Europe's giants although Harry Redknapp moved quickly to quash such speculation by insisting that his prize asset was not for sale.
After guiding the club into the Champions League last season, Ardiles believes Redknapp stands on the brink of greatness with his team and he is convinced that Spurs now rank among the elite clubs in European football. That, the Argentine insists, will be enough to persuade Bale to stay and not seek pastures new like star striker Dimitar Berbatov did when he left White Hart Lane for Manchester United in 2008.
"There is no doubt that Bale will be targeted this summer. All the best teams in the world will be after him," said Ardiles, who was at White Hart Lane to launch the Sportingbet Spurs Zone.
"Players in the past like Berbatov had to leave because they wanted to play in the Champions League. He left because we couldn't give him that platform, but now we can. Last year he was good but this season Gareth has been even better. He has been outstanding. He is the best player in his position in the world."
