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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says the club are holding contract talks with Gareth Bale, while revealing Jan Vertonghen could miss the start of the season.
The Wales international has been the subject of plenty of speculation this summer, with rumours suggesting Real Madrid and Manchester United are very interested in signing him.
Real are thought to have lodged an official bid for the 24-year-old, believed to be in the region of 60million.
However, Spurs aren't ready to give up their prize asset without a fight and Villas-Boas has now lifted the lid on his plans to keep Bale at White Hart Lane.
The Portuguese tactician says contract talks between Tottenham and the player's agent are taking place and he is confident Bale will commit his long-term future to the north London outfit.
"There were contacts last year between the club and his agent," said Villas-Boas. "And there are still ongoing contacts between club and agent.
"Talks are ongoing, but that doesn't mean there is an agreement."
When asked how confident he was Bale would sign a new deal, the former Chelsea boss said: "At the moment we are confident. The player is under contract, a good contract at Tottenham, which was done last year."
Bale is1.50to remain with Tottenham for the start of the new season, while he is2.50to join Real Madrid.
While there was positive news from the Spurs camp on Bale's future, the update on Vertonghen's ankle injury was less encouraging.
The Belgian defender was taken off on a stretcher during the 3-1 defeat to Sunderland in a friendly in Hong Kong on Wednesday and scans have revealed ankle ligament damage.
Villas-Boas is hopeful the 26-year-old will be fit for the start of the new Premier League season but admits he is a doubt for the curtain raiser with Crystal Palace on 18th January.
"Jan has had damage to his ligaments and he's going to be most likely out of training for two to three weeks," the Portuguese said.
"So just about on the deadline for the first game of the season."
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