Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News and Rumors Tracker: Week of July 29

After a relatively quiet few weeks, Gareth Bale's future has once again became the dominant Tottenham Hotspur transfer story.

Real Madrid have seemingly upped their interest in the Welshman—at least if the numerous media reports are anything to go by (more on which, inside the tracker).

How quickly this one is resolved remains to be seen. Either way, it is going to have big ramifications for Tottenham's season.

Bale is not the only transfer story taking place related to Spurs right now, and others are almost certain to emerge too.

Make sure to check back here throughout the week for all the latest news and rumors relating to Tottenham's transfer activity.

LAST UPDATE: Sunday, August 4

Gareth Bale Latest

Sunday, August 4

Mark Ryan of the Daily Mail reports that Tottenham owner Joe Lewis has stepped up his involvement in negotiations over a possible transfer of Gareth Bale.

Ryan suggests Lewis will not accept an offer less than £100 million.

This differs somewhat to the pay-plan Real Madrid have in mind according to Dean Jones of the Sunday People.

Jones believes Real only want to pay £20 million upfront, with the rest of the suggested sizable fee being paid in installments down the line.

Friday, August 2

The Mirror's Darren Lewis reports that Real Madrid have claimed a prospective deal for Gareth Bale has been agreed in the region of £105 million (including a player).

Lewis does though suggest Tottenham are not quite yet happy with the terms of the deal.

According to quotes carried in the Daily Express from Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, he has no plans to make former Spur Luka Modric part of any deal.

David Woods of the Daily Star believes the absence of Bale on a poster of the players at Tottenham's training round is evidence the club is planning for life without him.

Thursday, August 1

Gareth Bale stories are still doing the rounds on Thursday morning.

One with a slightly different take on the situation comes in an article written by David Hytner for The Guardian.

Hytner reports Tottenham are preparing to sell Bale, and would want somewhere in the region of the £86 million suspected to have been offered by Real Madrid, as well as their young forward Alvaro Morata.

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 31

SkySports.com have reported that Gareth Bale has confirmed to Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas that he would like to join Real Madrid.

Wednesday, July 31

We end July with the rumor mill still churning out a number of Gareth Bale stories.

The Sun's Pat Sheehan believes that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is looking to charge Real Madrid as much as £125 million for the player.

Interestingly, Gary Jacob of The Times reports that Tottenham will only consider selling if they get Luka Modric back, included as part of a cash deal.

The Croatian seems unlikely to agree to that. Especially as he was beginning to settle in Spain over the latter half of last season.

The London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson writes that Levy would "reluctantly" sell Bale for £100 million.

Though Johnson also notes there is skepticism on Spurs' part as to how Real would afford such a fee, considering that they are said to still owe money for Modric.

Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail reports that Bale is reluctant to make a transfer request as he does not want to risk upsetting his relationship with Tottenham fans.

Most startling of all today's reports is the suggestion in Metro that, should Spurs sell Bale, they will reinvest some of the funds in attempting to sign Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

Tuesday, July 30

Unsurprisingly, speculation about Gareth Bale's future is rife again today.

The Daily Mail's Neil Ashton reports that Tottenham will consider letting their player go, but only "if Real Madrid offer a world record £85million—plus a player."

Ashton suggests that Real Madrid have yet to make a formal offer for Bale.

That is in contrast to Marca.

Jack Wilson of the Daily Star reports that the Spanish newspaper believes along with Real, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have already made bids for Bale this summer.

Wilson also describes Marca's report suggesting Tottenham want £126 million for the Welshman.

The Mirror's John Cross believes Man United are waiting to see if Spurs begin accepting bids for Bale before making an actual offer.

Spurs might consider selling Bale abroad for the kind of exorbitant fee being discussed. However, it is difficult to see them contemplating selling to a Premier League rival.

Monday, July 29

An assortment of stories on Gareth Bale this Monday morning.

We begin with The Sun's Anthony Kastrinakis reiterating his belief that Real Madrid are planning to offer Tottenham "£51m cash plus Angel Di Maria and Fabio Coentrao, to take the deal to £95m."

Kastrinakis adds that the La Liga outfit are keen to secure a deal before they conclude a tour of the United States on August 11.

Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail reports that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has cut short a family holiday so he can hold talks with Bale back in London.

This is in marked contrast to Darren Lewis and The Mirror's take on the situation. Lewis suggests Levy is giving Bale "the silent treatment" as he refuses to consider the prospect of selling him this summer.

The Daily Star's David Woods suggests that if Bale does leave, Tottenham will pursue Paris Saint-Germain's Javier Pastore.

Dempsey Heading Back to MLS

Saturday, August 3

Tottenham Hotspur announced via their official website that the club had "reached agreement with Major League Soccer for the transfer of Clint Dempsey."

Though it has not yet been officially confirmed, BBC Sport are among the media outlets reporting this move will see the United States international join Seattle Sounders.

UPDATE: Seattle Sounders confirmed the signing of Dempsey later on Saturday, details of which can be read here in a statement from their official website.

Spurs in for Roma Pair?

Friday, August 2

James Dickenson of the Daily Express reports that, in the event of Bale leaving, Tottenham will use part of the profits on Roma pair Miralem Pjanic and Erik Lamela.

The article cites a report in Corriere dello Sport, suggesting Spurs' "technical director Franco Baldini is set to return to his former club Roma to try and poach starlets Pjanic and Lamela."

Dickenson believes a transfer would cost around £44 million.

Tottenham Agree Fee for Soldado

Thursday, August 1

Tottenham Hotspur have announced they have agreed a deal with Valencia for the transfer of Roberto Soldado.

The statement on their official website confirmed the move would be completed once the striker has passed his medical.

Wednesday, July 31

Hannah Duncan of Metro reports there is still a measure of uncertainty in regards to Roberto Soldado joining Tottenham—at least on the part of the player himself.

Duncan quotes Soldado as saying he does "not know what is going on at the moment."

Monday, July 29

Matthew Dunn and James Dickenson of the Daily Express believe Tottenham Hotspur are close to beating Liverpool to the signing of Roberto Soldado.

The article describes Tottenham as "closing in" on the £26-million-rated man.

Other than that, there is little else to offer on the Soldado saga right now. If this story is to be believed though, a move may be imminent.

Watch this space.

Deal for Romanian Defender Edging Closer?

Thursday, August 1

Talk of a move for Romanian defender Vlad Chiriches has intensified in the wake of Steven Caulker's sale to Cardiff City.

The Mirror's Darren Lewis reports that despite hesitation on the part of the former's club Steaua Bucharest, a deal is close to completion.

Lewis quotes Chiriches' agent Ioan Becali, who states the move only "lacks only the signature of the boy" and is "99 per cent" done.

Chiriches joined Steaua in 2012 and has represented Romania at youth and senior levels.

Tuesday, July 30

The Daily Mail suggests Tottenham might be targeting Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori—a player also reportedly of interest to Liverpool.

Ilori, 20, has represented Portugal at various youth levels and is still in the process of establishing himself in the first-team.

Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches is also mentioned as being of interest to Spurs, as well as AC Milan and Roma.

The report notes Jan Vertonghen's recent injury and Younes Kaboul's ongoing quest for fitness as reason why Spurs might attempt to sign a new defender.

Vlad Chiriches

Caulker and Khumalo Depart

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 31

Count this writer as surprised, Tottenham have indeed sold Steven Caulker to Cardiff City.

Spurs announced the information on Wednesday evening, via their official website.

Also confirmed, was Bongani Khumalo's departure to Doncaster Rovers on a season-long loan.

The South African defender has yet to appear for Spurs in a competitive fixture since joining in 2011.

Andre Villas-Boas' plans for his central defense will now be of great interest, especially given the likelihood Jan Vertonghen will miss the start of the season.

Wednesday, July 31

The Mirror's Darren Lewis reports that Tottenham defender Steven Caulker is a target for Cardiff City.

Lewis believes talks between the two clubs have taken place, with the 21-year-old valued at around £7.5 million.

It would be highly surprising to see Spurs sell a player who has made considerable progress in developing into a first-team player.

His manager Andre Villas-Boas let William Gallas go earlier in the summer to help allow for further chances for the club's other central defenders.

Caulker was one seemingly ready to benefit from that. It would make little sense if he was to depart now.

Smith Joins Derby on Season-Long Loan

Monday, July 29

Tottenham Hotspur have announced via their official website that full-back Adam Smith has joined Derby County on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old's stock has risen following several loan spells with Football League clubs, most recently at Millwall last season.

With Kyle Walker still Tottenham's first-choice right-back and Kyle Naughton favored as his backup, Smith's first-team opportunities look limited for the time being.

Spurs will be happy to see him get more experience, but will also view this loan as a chance to put Smith in the shop window.

Despite being a talented player, there is only so long Spurs can hold onto Smith if chances to play for the senior team are not forthcoming.