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Tottenham 1-0 Swansea: Andre Villas-Boas thrilled with Spurs start

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas expects Gareth Bale back at training on Tuesday if a deal has not been agreed with Real Madrid.

Real are trying to sign Bale this week and have made a world-record bid of £86m for the 24-year-old player.

"Whether the transfer will happen or not, hopefully you will have more news in the next couple of days," said Villas-Boas on Sunday.

"But, at the moment, there is nothing I can tell you."

Real Madrid have made two different offers for Bale and are waiting to see if Tottenham accept either one.

quote Maybe someone will steal him as well

Bale was not at White Hart Lane as Spurs beat Swansea 1-0, courtesy of Roberto Soldado's second-half penalty, but Villas-Boas defended his absence.

"We allowed him two days off," said the former Chelsea manager. "It's not the first time this has come up. We never force non-selected players to come to our games. I decided that last season."

Soldado has now scored four goals in three games for Spurs since becoming their record signing when following a £26m move from Valencia this summer.

"He is really adding to our game because he brings that life and spark," said Villas-Boas. "When he receives the ball in space, he has one objective, which is to beat the man."

Tottenham came into the game against Swansea after being beaten to the signing of playmaker Willian by Chelsea's late intervention.

When asked about his interest in Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches, Villas-Boas joked: "Maybe someone will steal him as well."

The fee for the 23-year-old Romania international is believed to be around £8.5m.

Steaua manager Laurentiu Reghecampf hopes the centre-back will play in the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Legia Warsaw on Tuesday before completing a move to Spurs.

"The two clubs have agreed to transfer him," said Reghecampf. "I cannot say the amount, but it is very high.

"It will be the most expensive transfer in the history of Steaua. The owner says that all there is left to do is sign some documents."