Gareth Bale to Miss Tottenham's Opening Game of the Premier League Season

Gareth Bale will miss Tottenham Hotspur's first Premier League game of the season, manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed.

The 24-year-old did not play for Wales in the international friendly against the Republic of Ireland this week due to a foot injury.

When asked if Bale would play against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Villas-Boas told Sky Sports the following:

"

No, because he's been out injured for most of pre-season.

He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he's been complaining of pain in the foot.

I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace.

"

Bale has barely featured in preseason matches for Spurs this summer, with his last appearance being in the friendly against Swindon Town on July 16.

For the most part, he has spent his time as the subject of persistent transfer rumours. With the Real Madrid target now missing Tottenham's first league game of the season, speculation over the player's future is likely to escalate even more.

A world-record fee of £85 million for the player had been suggested, as Sky Sports reported, but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has slapped a £105 million figure on Bale, according to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror.

Levy has become concerned that Real do not have the funds available to finance the world-record move for the former Southampton man, according to Lewis.

What's more, Real's public pursuit of Bale during the summer has angered Tottenham and manager Villas-Boas, as BBC Sport reported earlier this month.

The White Hart Lane club will continue their efforts to persuade Bale to stay at the club. They have already spent £50 million on Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli, while BBC Sport broke the news on Thursday morning that Etienne Capoue has completed his £9 million move from Toulouse.

Moving forward, Spurs are seeking even more new arrivals before the transfer window closes on Sept. 2, according to Tony Banks of Express. That includes targets of Erik Lamela from Roma, Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen and Willian of Anzhi Makhachkala.