Spurs Transfer News: Real Madrid To Confirm £78 Million Bale Capture Today

Daily Mail. Madrid insisted yesterday they had persuaded Spurs to sell the 24-year-old for £2 million less than the £80 million it took to bring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu in 2009, making the Portuguese ace the costliest player in football. The £78 million will be paid in a staggering one-off instalment, with the completion of the deal coming after Bale agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants. Tottenham were offered what would have been a world-transfer-record £101 million for the Wales international, but that deal would have involved the money being released in a series of three instalments. Chairman Daniel Levy may not have received a record-breaking fee for Bale, but he has secured immediate remuneration for a player who cost only £7 million from Southampton just five years ago. One of this summer's most enduring of transfer sagas, it is understood a six-year contract at Real, which will see the Welshman earn £8.5 million-a-season, has long since been settled upon. An agreement to allow Tottenham find adequate replacements for Bale delayed the completion of the deal, as did uncertainty over Madrid's ability to finance the blockbusting package. But Spurs have completed the signings of £30 million forward Erik Lamela and £11.5 million playmaker Christian Eriksen, leaving the way open for Bale to complete his dream move to Real.