体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid confirm Bale transfer

MADRID, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid finally closed their signing of Tottenham Hotspurs winger, Gareth Bale on Sunday, the club confirmed on its official website.

The deal has been closed for a fee of between 91 million, which is what was quoted last week I Spanish newspaper Diario AS, and 100 million euros, which is the figure quoted in the British press.

The agreement between the two clubs ends almost three months of negotiations which had become the long-running saga of this summer's transfer window.

A deal has looked on the verge of happening for the past month and had appeared to be just hours away a week ago when Bale flew to the Spanish town of Marbella, while Real Madrid constructed a stage for his official presentation and the club website advertised the sale of shirts with 'Bale 11' on the back.

That clearly angered Tottenham Chairman, Daniel Levy and Bale flew back to England on Monday, although he failed to report for training on either Tuesday or Wednesday, and when asked about the affair in his Wednesday press conference, Tottenham coach, Andre Vilas-Boas admitted the deal was on the verge of completion.

"It could happen very, very soon," said Villas-Boas about the deal, adding the transfer would be "most likely the biggest transfer in world football."

The Spurs coach then confirmed on Sunday that the deal would happen, shortly before Madrid made it official on their website

If Vilas-Boas is correct then the 91 million Euros quoted by Diario AS must be slightly below the actual price, given that the current world record transfer fee is the 95 million Euros that Madrid paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 and Madrid could have agreed the fee of around 100 million.

Bale will fly to Madrid on Monday where he will undergo his medical with his new club before his official presentation in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at 13.00 hours.