GARETH BALE_090713 GARETH BALE_090713

The Welsh winger has been tracked by Spanish giants Real Madrid for much of the summer but they have not made an official approach.

Despite his multi-award winning season last time, he is talking about helping Tottenham to improve and make it into the top four next time. And, on a personal note, he thinks he can get even better.

"I am hoping to improve from last season. Every season I want to keep improving and keep becoming a better player, I have more experience now," Bale told Sky Sports News.

"For me I need to keep working hard on the training pitch and on game days, and hopefully progress as a player and become even better."

Tottenham narrowly missed out on a place in the top four to local rivals Arsenal last season, but Bale is determined to go 'one better' next term.

He added: "I think everyone at the club wants us to finish in the top four, the club wants to be in the top four, and we need to go one better this season and finish in the top four."

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe told Sky Sports News on Monday that it is vital to retain the likes of Bale, if the club want to finish in the top four.

"It's important to keep your best players and it doesn't make any sense selling your best players," Defoe told Sky Sports News.

"On a personal note, it's difficult to say much about it. Gaz had a fantastic year last year and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.

"What he did last year was outstanding and if you do that you're going to have other clubs after you.

"For me, I want us to keep all of our best players as I want to play with top players. We want to get in the Champions League and we need to keep our top players."

Manager Andre Villas-Boas also recently stated that he has been given assurances by chairman Daniel Levy that Bale will not be sold.

"The chairman said that we are not open to offers, whatever they are, and that the player will stay," he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

"In football anything can happen, but these are the guarantees given to me.

"There was a moment last season when Gareth came to me because he was not comfortable out on the pitch.

"I do not know if it was my response or that he was glad to relieve the stress, but after that he became confident and played with freedom.

"He felt important and finished the year in style."