Gareth Bale Calls Playing for FC Barcelona or Real Madrid a 'Dream'

Transfer rumors began seriously swirling around Gareth Bale as soon as he raced down the left side for the first goal of his Champions League hat-trick against Inter Milan in October 2010.

Every transfer window since, Tottenham has rebuffed any interest in the winger. And they will undoubtedly hope to do the same this summer.

So an interview Gareth Bale gave to The Sun on Sunday could cause some concern in the Spurs front office.

It started off innocently enough as Bale was asked about rumors of interest from La Liga giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Bale responded to The Sun reporter:

"

I have three years left on my contract and I'm very happy at Tottenham. In a way it's flattering, a good feeling when you get linked with very big clubs.

It's a compliment but it doesn't affect the way I play at all, it doesn't ever go to my head. It's a nice feeling to know those clubs are looking at you.

"

Nicely put, Tottenham fans exhaled. Then they read further.

"

If you are talking about Barcelona or Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world, then it's a bit like Harry and England, it's a once-in-a-lifetime dream. If you said to any young player that you could play for Barcelona or Real would they turn it down? Probably not.

If it happens you would have to look very seriously at the situation. If a bid was accepted you would obviously have to seriously consider it. But that has not happened so, at the moment, I'm just concentrating on Tottenham.

"

Rumors reported as recently as February put Bale at the top of Barcelona's wish-list right alongside Brazilian phenom Neymar. The Gareth Bale war could be on since Barca's Spanish rivals Real Madrid are just one of several other teams reported to be preparing summer bids for the Welshman.

As Tottenham finish their season, the answer to a pair of questions are likely to play major roles in whether they manage to retain Bale's services.

1) Will Harry Redknapp be offered the vacant England job? If so, will he take it?

2) Will Tottenham be able to deliver Champions League football next season?

Spurs fans will cross their fingers and hope that the answers to both questions come out in their favor and that those factors mean they will keep their budding superstar.