Sherwood: Bale will stay at Spurs

21 May 2013 17:17

Tim Sherwood is "one million per cent" sure that Gareth Bale will stay at Tottenham this summer.

Speculation is mounting that Europe's elite are preparing to swoop for the 23-year-old after Spurs just fell short of Champions League qualification. Reports suggest the Wales international is poised to sign a new contract worth up to £150,000 a week and head of football development Sherwood is certain he will stay at White Hart Lane.

"He's fantastically happy at Tottenham," Sherwood told talkSPORT. "I don't see him banging the door down trying to get a move. I believe one million per cent he will stay at Tottenham."

He added: "I see him around the training ground every day, he's got a good working relationship with the manager and he loves his team-mates. They show him the respect that he deserves and he gives it back to them."

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he has been told by the club that Bale will stay even though the team will be playing in the Europa League next term, although that might not stop the likes of Real Madrid bidding for the player in the close season.

The new deal for Bale, whose existing contract does not expire until 2016, would reportedly include a release clause for bids over £50million at the end of the next season.

"It's crucial for all teams when you're at the level of the league that we are, pushing for Champions League football, that players like Gareth Bale stay at your club," Sherwood added.

"There will be a lot of clubs wanting to take Gareth but he's 23-years-old and fortunately for Gareth and Tottenham, he's got good advisors."

Source: PA