Gareth Bale’s representatives are working on a deal to take the Real Madrid winger back to Tottenham.
According to the PA news agency the 31-year-old swapped the north- London club for the Spanish capital in 2013, winning four Champions Leagues during a medal-laden stint at the Bernabeu.
But Bale has found himself marginalised under Zinedine Zidane and a return to Spurs could be on the cards.
PA understands talks are under way about a potential move back to the Premier League, with the Wales international keen to rejoin his former club.
Madrid are reportedly willing to subside a large chunk of Bale’s lofty wages seven years on from making him the world’s most expensive player in a €100-million deal, which then worked out at £85.3m.
The Wales forward may not be the only player leaving Real Madrid for Tottenham, with left back Sergio Reguilon believed to be closing in on a move to Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Spain international shone on loan at Sevilla last season and has been monitored by Manchester United, although the Old Trafford club have been unwilling to agree to a buyback clause.
Bale was another option under consideration by United should their well-documented move for Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho fail.
The 31-year-old returning to Tottenham would be a welcome move for the out-of-favour forward, who spoke about his future earlier this month.
Bale, who almost joined Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning on a £1m a week three-year deal in 2019, told Sky Sports: “I think the club needs to answer that question because I tried to leave last year. They blocked everything at the last second.
“It was a project I was excited for last year but it didn’t materialise.
“There’s been other instances where we’ve tried to go but the club won’t allow it, or [have] done something.
“So it’s on the club, I can’t really do anything. I have a contract.
“All I can do is carry on what I’m doing and hopefully something comes up.
“But as I said, it’s in the club’s hands. They make things very difficult, to be honest.”