Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale clause 'close to expiring'

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly have just over three months left to take up the first-option clause to re-sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old swapped Tottenham for Madrid in a then-record £85m bid six years ago and has been a massive success at the Bernabeu in terms of honours won.

Bale has played a huge part in two of Madrid's four Champions League successes and also lifted the La Liga title in 2017.

However, the Welshman's future appears to lie away from the Bernabeu as he has struggled for playing time over the past 12 months and, despite his aforementioned honours, has never truly won over supporters.

Manchester United are the side most associated with showing an interest in Bale but, according to leaked documents in the Spanish media, Tottenham have first dibs on the forward.

The agreement, which gives Tottenham 72 hours to match any offers Madrid accept for Bale, will expire on June 30, though.

Zinedine Zidane's return to Madrid this week has cast Bale's future in further doubt, with the Frenchman supposedly being given £300m to bring in new players.