ARSENAL have entered the battle to sign £10million-rated
Gareth Bale.
But SunSport understands the Southampton left-back, 17, is not
interested in a move to the Gunners. Manchester United and
Tottenham are also in for the Wales international. Spurs are
favourites as Bale has been assured of first-team football while
United and Arsenal cannot guarantee it.
Bale is also worried his career would go backwards if he joined any
of the big four now. Saints boss George Burley has urged his player
to see out the season on the South Coast.
Team-mate Chris Baird also wants Bale to stay and help
Southampton win promotion to the Premiership this term. Saints are
currently fifth in the Championship and are seven points away from
top club Derby.
Baird, 24, said: Gareth will go on to bigger and better things as
he is fantastic both on and off the pitch. But all of us hope we
can keep him. Hes a great asset and we are pushing for
promotion.
We want to be a Premiership team next season and we want to do
that with Gareth Bale in our team.
