According to a recent report, Tottenham Hotspur will have first refusal for the signing of Gareth Bale this summer due to Daniel Levy's negotiations.

The report by Eurosport claims that the Tottenham chairman inserted the first refusal clause when negotiating the season-long loan deal of the forward with Real Madrid in last summer's transfer window.

As a result, should Jose Mourinho wish to do so, Spurs are all but guaranteed to sign the Wales international in the summer market, providing they can reach an agreement with Real Madrid regarding the 31-year-old's price, with it being reported the La Liga side will ask for between €20m (£17m) and €30m (£26m) to part with the winger.

Transfer Tavern Take

Aside from an abject performance against Arsenal last weekend, in recent fixtures Bale has started to show signs that he can replicate his form of old, bagging four goals and two assists over his last five Premier League fixtures, as well as three goals and one assist over his last five Europa League appearances.

However, with Spurs reported to be paying £240,000 of Bale's £600,000 weekly wage at Real Madrid, any move permanent move to Tottenham would likely require the 31-year-old to take a rather substantial pay cut.

Despite his aforementioned upturn in form, with Mourinho singling out Bale for his lack of intensity in the North London derby defeat, it could be argued that the Welshman still has a little way to go in convincing the 58-year-old he is worth keeping at the club.

In other news: Tottenham have been sent a warning over Harry Kane - find out more here!