IT remains the longest running transfer saga in world football, but Gareth Bale’s proposed move to Real Madrid still isn’t progressing, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Tottenham winger is the subject of huge speculation as the giants of Real Madrid look to tempt chairman Daniel Levy to sell the PFA player of the year.

They’ve made their intentions to sign Bale clear and incredibly public, an entire summer of using the press to get their man still not resulting in a transfer.

It is understood that Bale’s head has been turned and he does covet a move to Madrid, having not featured for Spurs in a month since scoring in their 1-1 pre-season draw at Swindon Town. The official line is that he has a foot injury.

In the meantime Spurs have been spending money to cover for Bale’s probable departure, splashing out £60 million on Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue with record deals for Willian and Erik Lamela also under negotiation.

However, Tottenham insist the spending isn’t dependent on selling Bale and reports that a deal was close to being agreed have proved to be wide of the mark.

According to Spanish paper Marca – very much a newspaper with their Real Madrid colours nailed to the mast – Madrid’s latest offer hasn’t even elicited a response from Tottenham.

“The Gareth Bale saga runs on with nothing new happening. The days slide by, and the situation is much the same as it was at the beginning of August: Tottenham knows full well that the player wants to leave, and that it has an historic offer on the table...but nothing doing,” Marca reported yesterday.

“The hardness of Daniel Levy in this proposed deal is driving Real Madrid and the player up the wall, as nobody can understand the dictatorial posture taken by the Spurs president. "We just don't know what to do" sources close to the player's side of the negotiation table have told Marca.

“The truth of the matter is that neither Bale nor 'Los Blancos' can do anything to get things going. The player has done all that he can by refusing to play, and Real has whacked a jaw-dropping €98 million onto the table. But Levy is having none of it, and seems set on making himself the star of the show, more newsworthy even than Bale himself.”