Tottenham Transfers: 5 Midfielders to Replace Gareth Bale If He Leaves

Gareth Bale may leave White Hart Lane. 

There, I said it. Knock on wood, hold your breath, count to 10 and spin around—do whatever you need to do to feel like you're contributing to Bale sticking around. The cold, hard truth is he very well may leave.

After all, who hasn't the 22-year-old Welshman been linked with?

MirrorFootball.co.uk reported, "Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is ­planning a major shake-up to help launch a full-scale attempt to sign Gareth Bale this summer."

Bloomberg.com said at the beginning of the season that Chelsea were so keen on having the speedy winger that they planned on making a "40 million-pound ($66 million) offer..."

The sad thing for Spurs fans is that these are just the rumors they know about. There's got to be half a dozen more teams who are secretly putting together bids and offers for the Premier League's best winger.

But Tottenham fans shouldn't fret. Bale's been a favorite at White Hart Lane for years, but when he's playing on the opposite touchline, it'll be easy for North Londoners to root against the hard-working kid. Besides, there's a handful of talented wingers out there just waiting to be scooped up by a club like Tottenham, who will surely challenge both Manchester clubs for the title next year.

Who are these players? Read on and learn about the five midfielders who could replace Gareth Bale should he leave Tottenham. 

David Hoilett, Blackburn

I've said it before, and I'll say it again—David Hoilett is an absolute dream of a replacement if Gareth Bale leaves.

He's fast, he runs as fast with the ball as without, his passes are spot-on, he's a humble guy and he'll still be 21 when Tottenham's 2012-13 season starts. He's got three goals and five assists.

When—not if—Blackburn is relegated, Hoilett will be there for the poaching. Will Tottenham be standing at the ready to snag the next rising star in the Premier League?

Ashley Young, Manchester United

The strategy here is two-fold—improve your club while making a competitor's weaker.

There's no denying that Manchester United is one of the few clubs who stand in the way of Tottenham lifting the title silverware for the first time in more than 40 years. What better way to hobble them than luring away one of their young talents?

I like Ashley Young. He has superb pace with the ball and his cross makes my mouth water. His only knock is that he's not much of a physical player, but that's something that wouldn't really hinder him in Tottenham's system.

I'd call Gareth Bale many things, but "physical" isn't at the top of the list. He can certainly hold his own against the best midfielders in the world, but his strength is his speed and his cross—the two things Young does very, very well.

Stephane Sessegnon, Sunderland

It's a shame that Sunderland midfielder Stephane Sessegnon plays for, well, Sunderland.

The 27-year-old is one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise dismal offense, leading the Black Cats in both goals (six) and assists (seven).

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill usually has Sessegnon at the top of the key as an attacking midfielder or a striker, but he's shown he has the stamina to play the flank at either side of the field.

He isn't as fast as Bale, and he's a hair less skillful with the ball, but his crosses are spot-on and, if he had a better supporting cast, the former Paris Saint-Germain man would be the talk of the town.

Miguel Pérez Cuesta, Rayo Vallecano

Never heard of Miguel Pérez Cuesta? Don't feel too bad, as most of us haven't.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been a diamond in the rough for Rayo Vallecano, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances for the La Liga club.

Cuesta's club, however, is not doing as well as he is. Rayo Vallecano is currently sitting at eighth in the league table and has absolutely no chance of securing a spot in next year's Champions League.

Like Sessegnon before him, Cuesta is more of a central attacking midfielder, but he has the pace and stamina to be anywhere on the opponent's half of the pitch. I'd like to see what he could do in a slightly slower English game going up and down the sideline instead of back and forth between them.

Aaron Lennon, Tottenham

Who says Gareth Bale's replacement—if one is needed—has to come from outside White Hart Lane's walls?

If Bale leaves, the worst that can happen is Niko Kranjcar plugged in at the right wing position with the speedy Lennon put in at left wing.

Even on Tottenham's worst days, Lennon isn't the worst of replacements, showing last weekend against Manchester United that he can match up against midfielders like Nani—and best them. Lennon repeatedly had fast breaks around the left flank and would have been looked at more positively if Tottenham's offense had found their way to the pitch.

Besides, Tottenham's defenders have been an ascending bunch with Benoit Assou-Ekotto showing he has improved in more than enough ways to support Lennon if he needs it.