Gareth Bale Tottenham Hotspur
Welshman Gareth Bale returned Sunday to improve Tottenham's chances for Champions League in a 3-1 victory over Manchester City. Reuters

Real Madrid director of football and former FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane has been more than impressed with Tottenham Hotspur scoring machine Gareth Bale, and his recent comments have increased speculation that Los Blancos will make an offer for Bale, according to The Sun.

“This year the player who’s impressed me most is not actually playing in the Champions League,” Zidane said. "He’s playing in 'the other cup' and that’s Bale. He’s unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space. Plus, he’s very good technically which is also important. We mustn’t forget that he plays football very well!”

The 23-year-old Welshman has lifted Tottenham to third place in the English Premier League, behind some clutch scoring. Bale is third in the league with 17 goals, and has tallied 26 in all competitions this season.

Dating back to September, and well before his blistering play this season, Bernabeu officials already had Bale on their radar. Last month, Madrid was reportedly putting together a £110 million package for Bale. That offer is more than triple Bale’s market value of £37 million, and might be enough to pry him away from White Hart Lane.

Los Blancos and Zidane could double down and also bring in Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

The 24-year-old Argentinean striker could be included in a swap for Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema, according to the Daily Star last week. That same report rehashes Madrid’s first attempt to land Aguero. Atletico Madrid decided not to sell Aguero to the Bernabeu giants and instead shipped him to Man City for £38 million, which is right around his current estimated value.

Aguero is third on City with nine goals, a far cry from the 23 he posted last season.

Possibly looking to make room for either Bale or Aguero, Madrid are reportedly interested in reuniting midfielder Xabi Alonso with Liverpool for £8.5 million. The Daily Mirror reported the Reds have already spoken to Alonso’s representation about a possible £80,000-a-week contract.

Alonso spent six seasons with Liverpool, scoring 15 goals in 143 appearances, and helped to capture the 2005 Champions League with a rebound goal off his own penalty shot to tie the match.

Football