Spurs up the fight to keep Bale after using Madrid target to unveil new home kit

Gareth Bale delivered the sort of clue Tottenham supporters have been searching for when he appeared with the familiar cockerel crest on his chest at the new shirt launch.
Bale was one of four players selected to model the new Under Armour kit in London on Monday after the first pre-season training session.
Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson and Brad Friedel were also on parade for Spurs and all agreed that keeping Bale from the clutches of wealthy European clubs like Real Madrid and PSG was vital to their hopes of reaching the Champions League.

Here for now: Gareth Bale (left) poses alongside Michael Dawson, Brad Friedel, Jermain Defoe

It seemed even more significant on a day when Barcelona confirmed they struck a deal to sell Spain's all-time leading scorer David Villa to Atletico Madrid for fee thought to be £4.4million.

Villa had been one of the top summer targets for manager Andre Villas-Boas, who felt his attacking unit was short of options last season when Tottenham dropped points late in the campaign and slipped out of the top four.

Brazilian midfielder Paulinho has been recruited for £17million but Villas-Boas is unlikely to be impressed at losing Villa since a move for last summer's top target Joao Moutinho seemed to be in the bag only to collapse on the final day of the transfer window.

Moutinho has since moved from Porto to Monaco, the newly-rich French team who also covet AVB as their next manager.

Nod to the past: Tottenham will wear HP on their shirt for the first time since 1999

Bale was not allowed to speak to the national newspapers but did conduct television and magazine interviews to be broadcast closer to the start of the season.

He is not anxious to leave even if he has yet to sign the improved contract Spurs are willing to offer him and his team-mates seem to be under the impression he will be with them for the season ahead.

'Yeah, it's important,' said Defoe. 'This year, we want a great season and we to get into the Champions League and to do that you've got to keep your best players.

'What Gareth did here last year was unbelievable. The amount of goals he scored, at times playing out of position up top off the forward and show the composure he did in certain games when he was one-on-one with the keeper and produced some unbelievable finishes. He's a special player. You want to keep your top players.'

Stay another year? Gareth Bale helped unveil the new Tottenham kit

Club captain Dawson added: 'He's here to do well, like all of us. Like the manager, like the staff at the football club, we're striving to be successful for this club.
'I remember him coming in as a 17-year-old. He's not changed, he's a top guy, he's got a great family around him. He's one of the boys, the lads love having him around. It hasn't always been easy since he signed, he was out of the team like myself but the boy is world class.
'Someone as good as him you certainly want to keep him. He's world-class. I'm very lucky to play with him. Last year, some of the goals he scored to help win us football matches were unbelievable.'

Spring in his step: Bale back in action with Tottenham at the Enfield Training Centre on Monday morning

Back in action: AVB took charge of a training session on Monday after also being linked away from the club

Preparations: Gareth bale will play an integral role in Tottenahm's Champions League push

Playing away: Bright blue has been a traditional colour for Tottenham away kits

 

Under Armour is the Official Technical Partner of Tottenham Hotspur. For more information and to pre-order the new 2013/2014 home and away kits, please visit www.tottenhamhotspur.com