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Sources close to Bale insist he has NOT asked for a transfer OR agreed terms with Real - contrary to several reports this week from the Spanish giants.

But Starsport has also learned that Spurs are so determined to keep him they have even issued a written hands-off warning to Madrid refusing to negotiate under any circumstances.

A club insider said last night: "We've made our position clear. It won't change. We have no interest in entertaining bids."

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is furious with Real's behaviour and grew increasingly irritated as he fielded more questions about Bale's future in Hong Kong yesterday.

Villas-Boas said: "On Gareth, I want to repeat what I was telling you last season and what I was telling you from the beginning of pre-season so I cannot extend myself. He's a Tottenham player, we are counting on him for the future."

Claims in Madrid newspaper Marca yesterday that Bale has agreed an eye-watering six-year contract with Real worth £8.5m a season are wide of the mark.

Bale will miss the club's Asia Trophy opener against Sunderland today, but Villas-Boas insists there is nothing sinister in that as he has a training-ground knock.

Meanwhile, Spurs opened the door for Liverpool to nab Roberto Soldado from under their noses last night after failing to meet his £26m buy-out clause.

Director of football Franco Baldini returned home emptyhanded after presenting Valencia with a new bid of around £22m plus performance-related add-ons for the Spain striker.

But Spurs risk missing out because representatives from Liverpool are now expected in Valencia for talks tomorrow.

Villas-Boas said: "Roberto is one of the players we have been following. But there isn't a deal being struck at the moment, it's just interest and conversations."