http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...-transfers-bale-stalemate-vertonghen-2146592?
Tottenham rubbish Jan Vertonghen to Barcelona transfer talk while Bale stand-off continues
9 Aug 2013 22:30
As arch-rivals Real are made to wait, the Spanish champs are said to be eyeing another of Daniel Levy's stars
- good luck with that, lads!
Tottenham are ready to take the battle over Gareth Bale to the end of the transfer window - and have rubbished talk of Barcelona buying Jan Vertonghen.
The 24-year-old winger will not be involved in the White Hart Lane club's Saturday friendly against Espanyol, through injury, as he continues to pine for a move to Real Madrid.
But the Spanish giants remain frustrated at Tottenham's refusal to give any ground on their £105million asking price and have made no further progress towards their goal.
Real had intended to land Bale in time for their first La Liga game of the season next weekend but the saga shows little sign of being close to a conclusion.
Not only are the two clubs unable to agree on players to move in the opposite direction as part of the deal, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is unconvinced Real are actually able to afford his prize asset.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have dismissed talk of a Barcelona bid for defender Jan Vertonghen.
The Spanish champions are said to have targeted the 26-year-old after being warned off David Luiz by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and off Thiago Silva by French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But Spurs have rejected claims of a bid by Barca, also linked with Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger, and insisted Vertonghen is staying.
Elsewhere, the north Londoners are set to announce £8.6m midfielder Etienne Capoue as their latest summer signing.
The 25-year-old will join from French club Toulouse this weekend, becoming Tottenham's fourth close-season capture after fellow midfielders Paulinho and Nacer Chadli and striker Roberto Soldado.
Interesting to see what the tabloids think of us now. Not a selling club anyway.