Bale not a Real option as Mourinho backs old friend Redknapp

With a bidding war expected for the signature of the talented Spurs’ full-back this summer, the manager of the Spanish club tells Paul Hirst he will not be among those clamouring to buy him.

Jose Mourinho yesterday indicated Real Madrid will not look to sign Tottenham winger Gareth Bale this summer before going on to back Harry Redknapp to become the next England boss.

Mourinho and Redknapp will face each other in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu.

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At the heart of Spurs’ quest for a place in the last four will be Bale, who is thought to be winning his race for fitness after a recent hamstring injury.

The Welshman signed a lucrative new contract last month but yesterday admitted that he would one day be willing to leave White Hart Lane if a big offer came his way.

Despite signing a new deal, a bidding war could commence for the 21-year-old this summer, with Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan all thought to be keen on securing his services.

But Mourinho, who spotted Bale’s talent while he was in charge at Chelsea, denied that Real would be out to sign the player this summer.

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“I was one of the first to say he will be an amazing player,” said Mourinho.

“I was saying that when he was not known in European football, just in England, so I know the great player he is.

“He is still young and there is a big space for him to improve so he will be a really top, top, top player. I have no doubt about that.

“Tottenham is not a good club to sell though. It is a club that buys. I think for the amount of money involved, it is not easy to buy and we have players for that position.

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“We have Cristiano (Ronaldo) who plays in the same position he plays, and Marcelo at left-back.

“When you want to spend big money you do it in areas where you have problems, but I have no doubt Bale is a very good boy.”

Redknapp has earned many plaudits this season for the attacking style he has employed at Tottenham and the way it has helped his team through the competition, seeing off Inter Milan and AC Milan on the way.

Redknapp is favourite to take over from Fabio Capello when he steps down as England boss next summer, and Mourinho thinks the former Portsmouth manager would do a great job.

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“He is a good manager for any team, including a national team,” said Mourinho, who is looking to secure his third Champions League trophy. “I think there are no limits for him. Give him a team, a national team and he is ready for anything.”

Tottenham were embroiled in a relegation battle when Redknapp took over two-and-a-half years ago, but his impressive stewardship has earned him the utmost admiration from his opposite number ahead of tonight’s showdown.

“He is my friend, and friends are always nice to each other,” added Mourinho. “I say nice things about him and he does me. That’s life. When I was in England he was not managing teams with possibility of reaching these kind of ambitions.

“Finally after the good work he was doing, he went to Tottenham, who had the resources to build a good team. I’m very, very happy (for him). I hope, and I say this from my heart, that if I don’t reach the final, then I hope he does it.”

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Ronaldo is expected to start despite his hamstring problem and Redknapp admitted the prospect of facing him is daunting.

“I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m pleased that Ronaldo is playing,” said Redknapp.

“He is a fantastic player. It’s a toss-up between him and Lionel Messi for who is the best player in the world. They are both amazing footballers.”

While concerns remain over Bale’s fitness, Redknapp last night revealed his squad had been hit by further injury problems after Niko Kranjcar suffered a foot injury against Wigan on Saturday.

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The Croatian joins Younes Kaboul, Steven Pienaar, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, and Alan Hutton on the sidelines but Redknapp reported good news on William Gallas, who looked all but certain to miss today’s game when his knee injury flared up last week but could now play.