Gareth Bale: Real Madrid target fails to show up for Spurs training

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale has failed to report to training as requested following a club-authorised break in Marbella.

Bale, 24, is the subject of a world-record £86m bid by Spanish giants Real Madrid, but Spurs say no agreement has been reached.

Tottenham have received a separate offer in addition to Real Madrid's bid.
The second bidder's identity is not known but Manchester United have been linked with the player this summer.

Tottenham had instructed Bale to return to training on Tuesday, but no reasons have been given for his failure to report for duty.

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

It is believed that a stage, nicknamed the 'Bale Box', has been erected at the Bernabeu to unveil Bale to the Spanish club's fans.

Stage at the Bernabeu, apparently designed to unveil Gareth Bale to fans 

Bale was not at White Hart Lane on Sunday as Tottenham beat Swansea 1-0, courtesy of Roberto Soldado's second-half penalty, but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas defended the player's absence.

"We allowed him two days off," said the former Chelsea manager after the match. "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."

Real Madrid's next home game will be on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao, a day before the transfer window closes on 2 Septembe