Tottenham ready to fine Gareth Bale over no-show

Wantaway star faces punishment for skipping training

It's not all about Gareth Bale at Spurs. Andre Villas-Boas could move as well with money on him at 7/1

Tom Collomosse28 August 2013

Andre Villas-Boas today revealed Gareth Bale could face a club fine after confirming Tottenham and Real Madrid were close to reaching an agreement for the Welshman’s world-record transfer to Spain.

Bale missed training on Tuesday and Wednesday after becoming frustrated that the £86million move to Madrid had not been completed over the weekend. His decision to stay away is likely to be a tactic to push through the switch after Villas-Boas admitted the 24-year-old has already said his goodbyes to colleagues.

Villas-Boas was reluctant to criticise his player’s actions heavily but he did concede Spurs could impose a financial penalty: “It’s up to the club to decide if it’s a breach of rules or a fine-able offence.

“The fact he hasn’t turned up, I don’t think it’s the correct behaviour but in the end it’s a position of pressure and a statement from the player, whatever that means. That is the position they chose to take.

“At the moment the two clubs are speaking to outline the final statement and drafts of contracts. I’m not sure how much time it’s going to take. It can happen very, very soon or it could go to the last day.

“Tottenham will most likely accept the biggest transfer in world football and if everything goes all right, it will be the end of the story. What is happening is a dream move for him. This could have happened in a different way but there will need to be a three-way agreement for the player to go.

“What he left are great memories. He is involved in a big transfer to Real Madrid and we wish him all the best. I’ve no idea if I will see him again here [at the training ground] or whether he will be in tomorrow.

"He has a good relationship with everyone and he has saluted [said goodbye to] the players and me.”

Tottenham have already spent money in anticipation of Bale’s departure and Villas-Boas is keen that they continue to do so. Spurs hope to finalise a move for Roma winger Erik Lamela in the coming days and have also registered a firm interest in Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen.