Gareth Bale: Why His Recent Performances Could Spell His End at White Hart Lane

Over the past month, Gareth Bale has been playing some of the best football of his career.

The Welshman has four goals in Tottenham's past three Premier League matches and scored twice in the first leg of the club's Europa League tie with Lyon.

More than just the sheer number of goals the winger is scoring, though, the quality of Bale's goals have been top notch, coming from fantastic runs, great shots and dead balls alike.

While this fantastic form is surely welcomed by Spurs supporters, especially as Gareth is helping the club toward their goal of a top-four finish and a Champions League spot, Bale's play raises an obvious issue heading into the summer: the attention of other clubs.

With the winger at the top of his form over the past few weeks, rumors have already started to spread linking Bale with a move away to the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

While it is obviously too early to take these rumors as fact or to write Bale off as an ex-Tottenham player, the possibility of the Welshman's departure must be acknowledged.

After all, the amount of money being talked about surrounding this transfer is ludicrous, what with Real Madrid's bid ballparked at £60 million.

Tottenham manager Daniel Levy is known for selling a player, no matter how important to the club, when a bid comes in for a price that he deems more than the player's value. For evidence, just look at Spurs' sale of Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United back in 2008.

While Bale is a fantastic player, a ridiculous sum of money might be able to persuade Levy to part ways with the Welshman and buy a few replacements.

On Gareth's side of the coin, the benefits of leaving White Hart Lane can be understood.

While Spurs are an up-and-coming side that have the potential to be quite good in a few years, the appeal of winning now cannot be understated for 23-year-old superstars.

If a European super-power with a reasonable chance to win next season's Champions League and vast sums of money comes beckoning, it would make sense for Bale to be lured away from Tottenham.

Now, there are some clear reasons for Bale to stay put this summer.

The winger finds himself in a great position with the club, whereas a trip to another club might not have him afford him this same spot and end up being a detriment to his career. For evidence, just look at Luka Modric's transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid last season.

Further, Spurs have a great young side that look to have the potential of making great strides over the next few seasons.

Finally, there is a chance that chairman Daniel Levy might want to make a statement this transfer window, refusing to sell his best asset to make it clear that his club is serious about getting better and improving his leverage in future negotiations.

All that being said, though, this summer should be interesting with some of the top European clubs pursuing Tottenham's Gareth Bale.

Will he leave? Will he stay?

At this point, it could go either way.

For Spurs, first thing's first: qualification for the Champions League is mandatory.

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