Source: Team_Talk
Bale urges Spurs to sign Cole
Gareth Bale has urged Tottenham to do everything they can to bring free-agent Joe Cole to White Hart Lane this summer.[LNB] Arsenal and Spurs are thought to be the front-runners in the race for the England midfielder after his contract with Chelsea expired.[LNB]Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been quiet in the transfer market this summer although he has made no secret of his desire to sign Cole, who he brought through the youth ranks at West Ham.[LNB]And Bale believes the 28-year-old would be a fantastic addition as Spurs embark on their first Champions League campaign.[LNB]"I think he is a great player and would be a great signing for us," said Bale.[LNB]"If he did come obviously we would welcome him with open arms and he would be an important asset to the squad.[LNB]"His Champions League experience would be an important asset for us. The more experience we have the better.[LNB]"A few of our guys have been in the Champions League before but for most of us it will be a new experience that we are looking forward to and if he can bring us more experience then that would be handy."[LNB]Redknapp has been mentioned as a possible successor to England manager Fabio Capello, whose future is under consideration following the Three Lions' humiliating exit from the World Cup.[LNB]Bale credits Redknapp with his emergence in the Spurs team and has urged the manager to stay at the club.[LNB]"I think the manager should definitely stay at Tottenham," said the Welshman.[LNB]"He did a fantastic job by taking us from low down in the table to the Champions League so I really don't want him to go. Hopefully he will stay.[LNB]"He gave me my chance and he was key to my development, especially towards the end of the season. We had a brilliant end of the season and hopefully the manager will stay so we can carry on this year."[LNB]Bale himself has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, with Serie A winners Inter Milan, their rivals AC Milan, and La Liga champions Barcelona linked with the 20-year-old.[LNB]He signed a new four-year contract in May though, and insists he is not thinking about leaving White Hart Lane.[LNB]"I am absolutely committed to Tottenham," he said.[LNB]"I have just signed a new deal. I don't know anything about the rumours, to be honest. It's just paper talk."[LNB]Bale is excited at the prospect of playing in next season's Champions League and has targeted the knockout stages.[LNB]"I think we're definitely good enough to get into the knockout stages," he said.[LNB]"You don't want to there and fall at the first hurdle. We want to get as far as we can.[LNB]We know it will be difficult but we will be ready for it.[LNB]"It's a massive stepping stone that has made us a bigger club. If we can qualify and play at the highest level then the whole team will improve."
