Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino believes his old club have pulled off a great signing in Gareth Bale, though feels the deal never could have happened during his own reign in north London.
Spurs are close to sealing a sensational loan deal that will see Bale return to the club after seven years, while they are also set to complete the permanent transfer of his Real Madrid teammate Sergio Reguilon.
Tottenham were notoriously frugal in the transfer market for much of Pochettino’s time at the club, going 18 months without making a signing, and he admits Bale would have made a huge difference to his own Spurs side.
Asked if he thinks Bale will be a success back at Spurs, Pochettino told El Partidazo de COPE: ‘Bale is a magnificent footballer at an age that still has strength as well as experience and maturity.
‘He has been decisive in Madrid, he has won four European Cups, he has scored in important games… he has always been very affectionate with me.’
On whether he had ever asked to sign Bale when he was at Tottenham, Pochettino continued: ‘There was never the possibility.
As well as bringing Bale back to the Premier League, Spurs have also agreed a deal for left-back Reguilon who performed superbly in La Liga last season and won the Europa League while on loan at Sevilla.
Asked about the Spaniard, Pochettino added: ‘It seems to me that he has a lot of spirit. He has great potential and will continue to grow.’
Tottenham are expected to officially unveil both players on Friday and hope to register the duo in time to potentially make the matchday squad for Sunday’s trip to face Southampton – another of Bale’s old clubs.
