Wales manager John Toshack has revealed that Gareth Bale was the subject of a "big-money bid" from an unnamed club over the summer.

The 21-year-old Tottenham star has been one the stars of the opening weeks of the new season but could easily have been playing for another club, according to Toshack.

The former Southampton star only signed a four-year contract with Spurs four months ago but that did not stop a team making an offer for him over the summer, according to the Wales boss.

He said:"It was a big-money bid - it's big money to me anyway. You'll have to ask Tottenham, they know about it. Gareth is aware people are looking at him and people are interested.

"I won't do that (say who the club was) out of confidence for the people who have informed me.

"Two years ago when we started the World Cup qualifying campaign, the first three matches Bale was named man-of-the-match against Azerbaijan, Russia and Liechtenstein.

"I know Harry thinks he has performed some kind of miracle at White Hart Lane but it is certainly not a surprise to us. We know full well what Gareth can do.

"I think the fact the left-back (Benoit Assou-Ekotto) was injured at Tottenham opened the door for him a bit and that shouldn't have been the case. But it was and he's taken full advantage.

"He's still a young lad and there's things he has to learn but there are a lot of people looking at him and taking an interest in him. I just hope he can take his club performances into our games at international level.

"He's in Champions League football now which is another platform for him to show what he can do and, if he steers clear of the injury problems he has had, he's got everything going for him to be a big, big player."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email