Gareth Bale Discusses Leaving Tottenham If Spurs Don't Make Champions League

During an interview with BBC's Football Focus, Tottenham winger Gareth Bale indicated he could leave the club if they do not qualify for the Champions League next season.

Bale was asked whether missing out on the Champions League would impact his future with Spurs.

Supporters could not have been encouraged by his answer. Bale replied, "If we don't [qualify for Champions League] then we obviously have to sit down and see what's best for myself."

Bale's team looked a shoo-in for the top four (and Champions League qualification) earlier in the season, but they have slumped to just one win in their last nine fixtures and currently sit in fifth place.

For his part, transfer rumors have swirled around Bale all season. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two biggest names being floated.

In an interview with The Sun at the beginning of April, Bale called the prospect of playing for the Spanish giants "a dream" and implied it was not an opportunity he would turn down.

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

Tottenham are in a tough fight with Newcastle and Chelsea for fourth place in the Premier League table.

Newcastle's loss on Saturday means that Tottenham can reclaim fourth position with a win against Blackburn on Sunday.

At this point, Spurs control their own Champions League destiny. The next two matches will decide it.

The next two matches may also decide whether they will continue to enjoy the services of Gareth Bale.