Transfer news - Timeline: The sensational Gareth Bale saga that was over before it even began
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ByEurosport
Updated 31/01/2020 at 12:07 GMT
Tottenham Hotspur were poised to complete a sensational transfer deadline move for Gareth Bale - except they weren't. We break down what really happened.
Gareth Bale
Image credit: Getty Images
- Done deals: All the Premier League ins and outs
- All the deadline day deals from across Europe
- Transfer window shuts at 23:00 GMT on Friday 31 January
08:00 - Bale to Spurs is on*
Well actually this was mere speculation from Eurosport's very own Michael Hincks.
We asked him to gaze into his crystal ball and see what would happen on transfer deadline day and one of the things he predicted was a late move for Bale from Spurs.
*Based on nothing
09:20 - Oh wait it actually is on?!
Then came the news that none of us expected. Times journalist Matt Lawton tweeted saying that he had been told there was a breakthrough
According to The Times: "Tottenham believe they have made a breakthrough in their bid to bring Gareth Bale back to the club.
The finer details of a deal have not yet been agreed — not least how they frame a contract when Bale has been earning a staggering £500,000 a week at the Santiago Bernabeu — but The Times understands there is growing confidence among the Spurs hierarchy that they can sign the Welsh superstar today.
"Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, travelled to Madrid for talks with Madrid president Florentino Perez in an effort to secure the services of the 30-year-old forward who moved from White Hart Lane to Madrid for what, in 2013, was a world record transfer of £85 million.”
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Real launch €180m deadline day bid for Liverpool star, so Bale can go to Spurs - Euro Papers
09:41 - Zidane speaks
Commenting on the rumours at his press conference before the Madrid derby, Real boss Zinedine Zidane said he hoped Bale would stay at the club.
Gareth is here with us and I am counting on him. I am not contemplating this possibility.
10:32 - Deal off
And just like that it was all over.
Lawton later offered an update saying that Spurs were now not confident of getting the deal done.
11:00 - Barnett comments
And in case there was any doubt Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett made it very clear what he thought.
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