[Transfer rumor]:Gareth Bale to Tottenham: How and why Real Madrid star could be heading back to Premier League

Gareth Bale - where next for the Real Madrid man?

Tottenham are edging closer to agreeing a deal with Real Madrid for Gareth Bale - but why Spurs, what are finances and, crucially, has he still got it?

The Wales ace has been frozen out at Real Madrid by boss Zinedine Zidane and on Tuesday came the exciting news that Bale would like to return to Spurs - where he spent six seasons between 2007 and 2013 - if a deal can be agreed with Real Madrid.

His representatives are also speaking to other Premier League clubs - with Manchester United linked - although Real Madrid have not agreed a deal with anyone.

Sky Sports reporter Paul Gilmour says the 'most difficult' aspects of Gareth Bale's potential move to Tottenham from Real Madrid have already been agreed.

How does he compare among the best in Europe's top five leagues now?

Last season, his per-90 returns still ranked among the elite for touches in the opposition box and aerials won. But, as the radar graphic below reveals, he produced mediocre numbers for the majority of attacking stats.

When factoring he was playing for the La Liga champions elect and his advancing years, question marks remain over whether the Welsh wizard has lost his hunger at Real, or lost his edge.

What is Real Madrid's view on Bale right now?

It is a situation which often leaves spectators from afar puzzled. In six seasons with Real Madrid, Bale has scored 105 goals in 251 games across all competitions. He's won 13 trophies, including four Champions League titles. And he has a long list of stunning goals in finals of those competitions. Yet, there is no place for him in Zinedine Zidane's team.

Bale has struggled to fit into Zinedine Zidane's plans

The relationship between player and coach has reached such a point that there appears to be no realistic future for Bale at Real Madrid. He has two years left on his contract but Real Madrid want to severe ties. Doing that, with the huge transfer fee and wages Bale would still command, makes it extremely difficult. There are not many clubs who could afford the deal.

But such is Real's desire to get Bale out of the club this summer, according to reports, they are willing to subsidise his salary in a loan deal. That opens the door for the likes of Tottenham or Manchester United to consider a move.

Bale was relegated to a mere spectator after the restart

The finances: Have Real finally surrendered?

A then world-record fee of £86m took him from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013, and seven years on, Bale still warrants huge figures.

His renewed six-year contract, signed in October 2016, has him reportedly earning £500,000-a-week. Clearly, Spurs could not afford that outright, but if Real Madrid are willing to pay half, a loan deal becomes more likely. The wages have always been a sticking point, but that looks to be resolved.

Gareth Bale joining Tottenham from Real Madrid would suit all parties, according to the Spanish club's former president Ramon Calderon.

Real would rather sell the Welshman outright, reportedly for around £20m, though with a lack of suitors willing to stump up the full fee and wages, it seems the Madrid club are looking to meet in the middle.

Even if Tottenham pay half of Bale's wages for a year, the 31-year-old would overtake Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele as Spurs' top earners, both reportedly earning £200,000-a-week.

With two years left on Bale's contract, don't rule out a two-year loan, but a year seems more likely. It remains to be seen whether a loan fee or option to buy would be included, or indeed an obligation to buy Bale at the end of a one-year loan.

But it seems the thought of Bale watching Real from the stands, or the golf course, for another year is enough to make the La Liga side surrender their previous demands.

Source @skysport.......© WonaijaTv ™