<http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/13/real-madrid-ready-to-drop-their-interest-in-gareth-bale-and-launch-bid-for-brazil-starlet-neymar-3756583/>

Gareth Bale’s future at Tottenham looks increasingly assured with Real Madrid turning their attentions to Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Spurs are ready to offer the Welshman a new contract believed to be worth £130,000-a-week and the PFA and Football Writers player of the year has dropped big hints that he is happy to remain at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham kept their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League alive by winning at Stoke at the weekend and go into Sunday’s final game of the Premier League season at home to Sunderland still chasing fourth spot.

Madrid have been vocal suitors of Bale but reports in Spain indicate that Bernabeu officials may spring the £59million release clause in Neymar’s contract.

The 21-year-old striker is also a target for Barcelona but the Catalans are unwilling to pay more than £25m for the talented international who has also been on Chelsea’s radar.

Madrid want to add another Galactico to their side as they seek to replenish a squad which came up short in both the Champions League and La Liga.

But it appears that Neymar is a more realistic, and probably cheaper, option than Bale who has been valued at £70million by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Sing it with me, lads: Oh Happy Dayyyyyy...

There are players who you can say with near 100% certainty are safe to sign with your eyes closed such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Hazard, Bale, Mata and 1000s more, those kind of players can't flop, simply because they have the passion to be special and successful in their football career.

@Alex

Ah, Neymar doesn't lack passion himself either. But the thing is, it's the league he comes from that is the problem here. Like I said, Brazilian football is all about style, not tactics. CR shone in Portugal, Mata in Spain, Bale in England, Hazard in France, etc. Those are all established and difficult leagues. And the most important thing is that they are EUROPEAN. And we all know that European football is heavily based on tactics.

The thing is, it'll take Neymar a while to get used to the European game (unless he just naturally adapts to it. We can't say for sure yet). I just hope (for Barcelona's sake) that it doesn't take TOO long for him to adapt. Better sooner rather than later, Barca fans.

I think Rosell simply wants to sell a lot of shirts in Brazil. :p

I can't think of a single footballing reason why Villanova would ask for him.