SPURS TALK: Saints forfeit Bale fee

11:31am Tuesday 8th July 2008

TOTTENHAM left-back Gareth Bale has become even more of a steal as his old club Southampton have cancelled any future payments owed by Spurs for the Welshman.

Bale arrived at White Hart Lane last summer in a deal which saw Juande Ramos' side pay £5 million upfront with a further £5 million to be paid depending on appearances.

However, with the south coast club in financial difficulties they have struck a deal with the Spurs board which sees a smaller, more immeadiate settlement offered.

The hard-up Championship side struck a similar deal with Arsenal last year in relation to the Theo Walcott transfer. They were reported to have sacrificed £2.9 million in order for a quick cash injection.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe told the club's official website: "I am always reluctant to forego any future income, but given our current financial situation, we must do all we can to go into the new season as robustly as possible."

Welsh international Bale, 18, impressed at the start of the last campaign before an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the second half of the season.

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