Tottenham Hotspur to extend Gareth Bale loan?

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly open to keeping Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale on the books for the 2021-22 campaign.

The Welshman has largely struggled to make a consistent impact for the Lilywhites, but he has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the campaign, including a hat-trick in Sunday's 4-0 win over Sheffield United.

Bale has started and scored in both of Spurs' Premier League matches under Ryan Mason, but his bit-part role under Jose Mourinho led to expectations that he would return to Real Madrid for the 2021-22 season.

However, the Daily Mail claims that Daniel Levy is willing to sanction a second season on loan for Bale, and whoever the club's next manager is will have the option to extend the 31-year-old's loan.

The report adds that Spurs would continue to fork out £240k of his weekly wages while he remains contracted to Real Madrid, but Bale would also need to agree to another season on loan before Spurs can trigger the deal.

The former Southampton youngster has struck 14 goals in 30 games across all competitions this season, including nine from 16 Premier League outings, but Mason has insisted that talks over his future can wait.