Gareth Bale has been linked with another return to Tottenham Hotspur...

What's the word?

That's according Spanish outlet Super Deporte, who claim that Spurs are the most interested team as he enters the final few months of his current contract at Real Madrid.

Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has already made it clear that he does not intend to extend the Welshman's deal at the Bernabeu, meaning he will be available for nothing in the summer and can even speak to foreign teams from January.

It's believed that Antonio Conte has the final word on whether or not the Lilywhites sign Bale for a third time.

Kane's saviour

And approve a deal he must.

Despite rarely featuring under Jose Mourinho and then interim Ryan Mason during last season's loan spell, Spurs have sorely missed his influence in the final third.

Indeed, the north London giants are struggling to score goals.

Only rock-bottom Norwich City (10.7) have averaged fewer shots than Spurs (10.9), whilst the fifth-placed outfit are inside the bottom seven for expected goals, as per Understat.

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Bale bagged three goals in seven starts in the Europa League and found the net 11 times (third-most) in the league, even though he started ten of his 20 appearances, via WhoScored. He managed a goal or assist every 71 minutes and that's exactly what Conte needs to get Spurs firing on all cylinders again.

As such, the burden would be lowered on Harry Kane, who has delivered just one goal in the Premier League all season.

Furthermore, the pair combined for four goals in their 772 minutes on the pitch together last season, so you'd imagine that if they featured together more regularly, then the Spurs duo could be a lethal duo in the attack more often.

Even Mourinho dubbed the 6 foot 1 winger "remarkable" for his "incredible" impact at the club, both on and off the pitch, so that's another encouraging factor for Conte to consider.

The 100-time Wales international, who is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, would be an astute free signing for Spurs in the summer. Fabio Paratici and co must look to seal his permanent signature this time around.

AND in other news, 67% duels lost: "Special" £17m-rated Spurs dud may have blown his chance under Conte...