'Bale needs to stay at Spurs', says Redknapp (From Haringey Independent)

'Gareth Bale needs to stay at Spurs', says Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp

7:23pm Sunday 29th April 2012 in Sport By Chris Hewett

Harry Redknapp believes Gareth Bale should stay at Tottenham despite the Welshman revealing this week he would consider his future at the club if they finish outside the top four.

Bale, who last year signed a contract to stay at Spurs until 2015, revealed he would have to sit down and think about his career if the Lilywhites fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The winger is rumoured to have caught the eye of top European clubs including Barcelona and Inter Milan but Redknapp believes the 22-year-old will stay put.

“He’s got to worry about that at the end of the year, he’s got a long contract at the club so I don’t think he’ll be going anywhere and he’s not going to find many better clubs than Tottenham anyway,” said Redknapp.

“I don’t think he’s a boy to go abroad at the moment. The first opportunity he gets he goes back to his family in Wales so I don’t think he’s the sort of boy to be suited to playing abroad at this time in his career – I think this is a great club for him to be at.

“You can’t be letting Gareth Bale go – he’s the future of the club. I think the chairman would want to keep him and I think you’ve got to keep him. We need to strengthen the squad in the summer – two or three quality players if you want to mount a challenge and be right there.”