Spurs are one of several clubs monitoring the progress of 17-year-old Gareth Bale since the January transfer window. The talented left-back has made it clear that he wants to try to secure a place in the Premiership with Southampton, but it looks increasingly likely that he will figure in a £10 million move.

The South coast club's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Derby County in the first leg of the Championship play-off may cause the Wales defender to revise his options. Southampton have to reverse that scoreline, and add another away goal, at Derby on Tuesday night if they are to reach the play-off final. And even then there is no guarantee that they will return to the top flight.

Bale may look elsewhere -and Spurs could emerge as likely suitors.  They were close to signing him last transfer season when rumours spread about interest from Manchester United and the move was postponed.  Bale is exactly what Spurs need to fill the void at left-back, although a move to the Premiership is bound to present problems of acclimatisation in respect of pace and tempo at the higher level.

It is generally believed, and accepted in most quarters, that Bale will be on the move if Southampton fail to secure promotion. He has been a sensation in the Saints team as well as a favourite with the St Mary's supporters, so a shock move to north London may not go down well.

Would Martin Jol be prepared to thrust him straight into the Premiership spotlight? It hardly seems likely as he would have to cope with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo - a daunting prospect even for one with the confidence and conviction of Bale. There is even a suggestion that should Spurs sign him, he could be loaned back to Southampton to continue his progress.

But Bale has shown that he can hold his own at the highest level, having scored five goals for Southampton and two for Wales, and he has become something of a free-kick specialist in the David Beckham mould.

Should they fail to land Bale, Spurs may switch their attention to Wigan defender Leighton Baines, but it is important that they tighten up their defence next season. They need to cut back on the number of goals conceded to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. This area is something that needs to be worked on desperately.

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