Tottenham Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale, Willian and More

With the EPL season just getting underway, the most pivotal aspect of Tottenham's future comes off the pitch. 

The final two weeks of the summer transfer window are shaping up to be a defining moment for the Spurs. Signs are beginning to accumulate that star Gareth Bale is headed out of Tottenham.

Of course, he wouldn't be leaving the Spurs empty-handed. Tottenham aren't going to just pocket the massive pile of cash they'd receive for their talisman. So, let's just get into the latest rumblings around this club. 

Gareth Bale

With Gareth Bale on the shelf while recovering from injury, Real Madrid already appear to be making plans for his arrival. 

As Gary Jones of the Daily Star reports, Los Blancos have kept the No. 11—which was worn by Ricardo Carvalho last season—open for Bale. 

Meanwhile, while all of this transfer madness rolls on, even those at Tottenham have no idea what is rolling around in Bale's head. ESPN's Kevin Palmer passed along this quote from Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas: 

"

Nobody knows Gareth's state of mind because he doesn't speak. The only thing we see is the player arriving in and out of the training ground. But it's fine. Ideally we'd like him to stay here. This is where his future is.

"

Villas-Boas went onto further explain his stance, and remained adamant about the Spurs' desire to hold onto Bale, but he was careful to add, "obviously in football anything can happen in the end." 

With the kind of cash Tottenham are speculated to be being offered for Bale, Villas-Boas was wise to add that qualifier. In fact, the Spurs may already be busy spending that money. 

As Palmer pointed out, Tottenham have already shelled out in the neighborhood of £60 million on the summer market to bring in Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli, and they don't seem to be done yet.

Willian

Liverpool looked to be close to landing Brazilian playmaker Willian. However, that is far less certain now that Tottenham have decided to hijack proceedings. 

According to the Mirror's Darren Lewis, Anzhi Makhachkala are looking for £30 million for Willian, while Liverpool are offering £26 million.

Lewis goes on to report that the Spurs have notified Anzhi that they are ready to come closer to that £30 million asking price. 

Of course, don't expect Anzhi to instantly jump on a more lucrative offer from Tottenham. They will hope to drum up a bidding war, and they are in a great position to do so. 

With two clubs locking in on one player, Anzhi are in the driver's seat and have no need to rush. 

No New Defender? 

Meanwhile, if Villas-Boas is to be believed, this spending spree isn't likely to encompass a defender. James Orr of the Independent passed along the following quote from the Spurs boss: 

"

We have options in defence. We still have [Kyle] Naughton, we have [Younes] Kaboul coming back, we have Zeki Fryers, who did very well in preseason.

I think we are covered. We might buy but we haven't decided yet, bearing in mind Fryers' progression.

"

Who knows if Villas-Boas is being forthright here, or if he is simply trying to deflect an endless stream of transfer questions? 

There is some merit to what he is saying. Fryers has shown promise early this season, but it also doesn't strike me that Villas-Boas and the Spurs are actually going to make a decision like this based on how he looks over the next two weeks. 

In other words, take or leave this statement from Villas-Boas because anything could happen.