Barca interest ‘flatters’ Bale

Posted Friday, November 18, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale said Friday he was flattered to be linked to Spanish giants Barcelona, but said he was committed to helping Spurs return to the Champions League.

Reports in Spain suggest the Spanish and European champions could bid for Bale but that the club would not pay over the odds for him.

Spurs value Bale at £50million but the 22-year-old Wales international insists he is content at White Hart Lane, where his contract expires in 2015.

"It's always nice being linked with clubs such as Barcelona - it's great to be linked with a team like that," he said.

"I'm enjoying my football at Spurs and I don't really take much notice of what is written about interest from other clubs."

Bale is determined to help Spurs return to the Champions League - a target he believes is achievable.

Spurs, who host Aston Villa on Monday night, sit outside the top four on goal difference alone and have a game in hand on fourth-place Chelsea.

"The Champions League is obviously where I want to be playing," Bale told the Daily Post.

"We've got a great chance of qualifying this season, especially with the manager playing young players in the Europa League and giving us the freshness to play in the Premier League.

"We've had a great start to the season. The main thing we want to achieve is the top four - anything above that is obviously a bonus.

"The main thing is to get back in the Champions League because that's where we want to get back to."