Spurs Transfers: 4 Wingers To Replace Gareth Bale

By William S Carter / July 28, 2013

transfer sagas of the summer continues to be played out. Undoubtedly, Gareth Bale carried Tottenham to the cusp of Champions League qualification last season just missing out to Arsenal with his goals and assists turning games that could've drawn into 3 points (West Ham away, a notable example). However, the failure to qualify for Europe's top table has reiterated speculation that Bale needs to move to a club that can provide him with a stage worthy of his talent to show to the world- the Europa League isn't enough for him. Besides, he was exposed and lavished with praise after Spurs' last foray into the Champions League especially after taking apart Inter Milan (and Maicon, to be more specific) in the home-if not the away-fixture between the two clubs the 2010-11 edition. Sky Sports have been reporting that there have been ongoing talks between agent and the club and it has been reported that this has been the case since last year.

Such timespan from then until now could suggest difficulties in negotiation and terms of the contract of one of the most sought after players. There could've be a possibility that Champions League qualification was waiting to be secured before a deal was struck and that failure meant a re-drafting of terms giving increased incentive for Bale and a happy medium between the two parties hasn't been struck to agree that means the Welshman remains at White Hart Lane for the near future.

So, as these negotiations continue, the rumours continue to place Bale as a part of Carlo Ancelotti's incarnation of Real Madrid and while Tottenham and the Premier League will miss him, this may become an inevitability. This begs the question who can Spurs buy to fill in his boots and become the next hero on the White Hart Lane terrace? We profile 5 candidates who may be able to step in to the breach.