Gareth Bale's Protracted Transfer Has Allowed Tottenham to Build a Supreme Side

Tottenham boast a side capable of a bid for the club’s first Premier League title, after a summer of adding new recruits while the world’s attention focused on the Gareth Bale–Real Madrid transfer saga.

Bale, who kept Tottenham in the Champions League qualification hunt last season with a spree of spectacular goals, is expected to switch to the Spanish capital for a £78 million fee, according to a Daily Mail report.

When Madrid set about prising the winger from White Hart Lane, it looked as though Spurs’ best hope would be earning a third consecutive Europa League spot.

Chairman Daniel Levy and Technical Director Franco Baldini could have conserved club funds to invest in Tottenham’s planned new stadium. Instead, they signed players from around the world who can help the North Londoners establish their place among the Premier League elite.

They couldn’t have picked a better time. With uncertainty hanging over Manchester United and Manchester City due to managerial changes, whilst Chelsea welcomed back Jose Mourinho, Spurs had a perfect opportunity to capitalise as their rivals adapted to new setups.

They had only neighbours Arsenal to fend off. Arsene Wenger was handed a huge transfer kitty, reported by the Daily Mail to be at least £70 million.

Wenger had the opportunity to push Tottenham off the radar with a couple of early big-name signings. After all, Spurs have recently been incapable of ousting any of the league’s top four. Who would want to sign with them?

Those Arsenal signings never happened. Suddenly Tottenham were the ones making deals.
First, they landed Paulinho, who impressed at the Confederations Cup for Brazil. Next, they acquired Nacer Chadli from FC Twente.

Levy then invested in the area Spurs were found most wanting last season—up front. In came striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26 million, a club record as reported by the BBC.

Tottenham’s side was now capable of a top four finish with or without Bale, especially given the lack of transfer activity four miles south of N17.

But, anticipating the fees quoted for Bale's move, Spurs still had plenty of room to maneuver—even more so due to sales of Clint Dempsey, Tom Huddlestone, Stephen Caulker and Scott Parker.

The next arrival, Etienne Capoue, came from Tolouse for £9.5 million, as The Independent reported. Capoue looked assured on his debut against Crystal Palace. He read the game superbly, turning defence into offence on numerous occasions, though Tottenham still looked a little short of ideas in attack.

That was Levy’s cue to splash out on three more players in one eventful day, as the Daily Mail reported. Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen add the creativity the Londoners crave. They will contribute goals to take the pressure off Soldado.

Rounding out that day’s triple signing, Vlad Chiriches adds depth in defence.

Spurs have the quality for a title challenge, but their fans should allow the new recruits time to gel under returning Manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Spurs supporters can look to the Manchester City example. After investing heavily, City managed only fifth in 2009/10 under Mark Hughes, then Roberto Mancini, despite spending over £100 million on Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott and others.

For Spurs, a top three finish may be a realistic ambition, waiting until next season for a title assault.

If Arsenal finally invest, the league boasts five sides capable of a Champions League spot—more, if Liverpool can maintain their form until the return of Luis Suarez.

But an impressive season for the Gunners doesn’t necessarily mean that their rivals miss out.

With the prospect of such a competitive league, even expected title challengers United, City and Chelsea aren’t guaranteed Champions League qualification. Spurs now possess a squad to rival all three.

Tottenham's lofty ambitions of Premier League dominance appeared finished once Madrid signalled interest in Bale, but it is that interest that has motivated their transformation into outside title contenders.