"Don't think we'll see him back in a Spurs shirt" – Journalist drops big Tottenham claim

Gareth Bale is unlikely to return to Tottenham for a third spell, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 102-cap Wales international is set to become a free agent this summer with his deal at Real Madrid expiring and he has been linked with another return to North London after spending last season on loan there.

According to Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, the 32-year-old’s future will be decided once Wales find out whether they’ll be playing at the World Cup.

Bale’s spectacular brace against Austria last weekend put the Dragons within 90 minutes of ending their 64-year wait to qualify for the tournament, but they won’t play the final until June due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with facing the winners of Scotland and Ukraine.

Should Wales reach their first World Cup since the 1950s, then the attacker would need to find a new club, with the winter edition not getting underway until halfway through next season.

One thing is for sure is that Bale will leave Madrid after nine years in the Spanish capital, although O’Rourke doesn’t believe that a second return to Tottenham will happen despite El Nacional stating in February that a deal had been agreed with Antonio Conte’s side.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think we will see him back in a Spurs shirt, I don’t think he would fit in with Antonio Conte’s plans going forward.”

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Bale has been a great servant for Tottenham over the years, with 72 goals and 61 assists across two spells.

He proved last season that he can still score goals at Premier League level, enjoying a fine run in front of goal towards the end of the campaign under Jose Mourinho and