© Getty Images Enlarge Tottenham's Gareth Bale is the subject of a potential world-record transfer to Real Madrid

While Gareth Bale seems to edge ever closer to a world-record transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid, officials at Southampton must be wincing at the thought of missing out on a bumper windfall.

Bale left St Mary's to sign for Tottenham in 2007 for £5 million, plus £5m in potential add-ons, and a sell-on clause guaranteeing Southampton 25% of any future transfer away from White Hart Lane.

But the Saints renegotiated the deal when they found themselves in financial difficulties in 2008, accepting £3m to waive any future income from Bale, whose proposed transfer to Real Madrid is anticipated to break the £80m record the Spanish giants paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

The prospect of missing out on £20m or more may sting, but the move did at least help to secure Southampton's future. The club was bought and had its debt cleared in 2009, sparking a rise from League One to the Premier League.

And there's always Theo Walcott - Southampton still have a similar clause in place should the Arsenal forward ever leave the Emirates.

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