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Tottenham confirm Reguilon, Bale arrivals

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Gareth Bale

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the season-long loan signing of Gareth Bale from Real Madrid, while highly-rated left back Sergio Reguilon also joins Jose Mourinho’s side in a deal worth a reported £28 million ($36m).

The 31-year-old Bale left Spurs in the summer of 2013 as the most expensive player on the planet.

A dream start was made to life at Santiago Bernabeu, with a useful habit picked up of scoring in major finals.

Bale’s blistering pace and keen eye for goal endeared him to the Madridistas, with domestic and continental successes savoured in Spain.

He has been one of most successful British imports of all time, with two La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cups collected with Real.

The Wales international has also passed a century of goals for the Blancos, hitting 105 in total, but found favour in short supply under Zinedine Zidane.

Just 20 appearances were taken in during the 2019-20 campaign, as transfer speculation raged and questions were asked of his commitment to Real – amid accusations of playing too much golf.

Bale is, however, now back in the Premier League and ready to rekindle a lost spark.

Jose Mourinho, who once tried to secure his signature when in charge of Madrid, has won the race for a player proven at the very highest level and will be hoping to see him make an immediate impact.

Spurs are looking for inspiration from somewhere, having missed out on a top-four finish and major silverware last season, and have sought to offer much-needed support to talismanic striker Harry Kane.

During his previous stint at White Hart Lane, Bale hit 55 goals in 203 appearances – collecting two PFA Player of the Year awards in the process and putting himself in a position where Real were so desperate to snap him up.

That relationship eventually turned sour, but he will be embraced as a returning hero by Tottenham supporters who have suddenly seen their summer transfer window burst into life.

Tottenham signed the Spanish left back amid rival interest from Manchester United.

The Red Devils had been in discussions with the full back but never reached the stage of making an official bid as they refused to entertain Madrid’s request of including a buy-back clause.

The 23-year-old defender saw his stock rise considerably during the 2019-20 campaign as, having been restricted to just 22 competitive outings for Madrid, the decision was taken for him to spend a season on loan at Sevilla.

He quickly nailed down a regular role in their plans, becoming a full Spain international and Europa League winner along the way.

A collection of consistent and eye-catching performances had Reguilon emerge as a top target for leading sides across the continent.

Sevilla had hoped that another agreement could be reached with La Liga rivals Real that allowed them to keep an emerging talent on their books.

Admiring glances were also shot in Reguilon’s direction from Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to bolster his ranks in Manchester.

United have, however, decided against pursuing a deal and will see a domestic foe benefit from the ability of a buccaneering full back in 2020-21.

Speaking to Spurs’ official club website following confirmation of his signing, Reguilon said: “I really like the philosophy of the club and the coach, those were things that made me want to come here.

“The desire to grow, the vision of the club, and I’m eager to grow as a player. Tottenham has world-class players and a world-class manager. I can’t wait to start working with him on my first day.

“I saw the training facilities, they are incredible. I think I am now in the hardest league in the world, the most difficult one. I talked a lot with [Gareth] Bale, regarding everything: the club, the city, the new stadium and I just can’t wait to start with my teammates.”

Spurs have already invested heavily in Matt Doherty during the current transfer window, with the Republic of Ireland international snapped up from Wolves.

He is being slotted in on the right of Mourinho’s defensive unit, with Reguilon now set to provide another fresh face on the left.