Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas remains confident that Gareth Bale will not be sold to Real Madrid, amid speculation that Los Blancos president, Florentino Perez, has been in London to bargain for the Welshman.

Real Madrid have made noises about signing Bale ever since they ended last season without a major trophy.

Whether or not the Spanish giants will break the transfer record to lure Bale from White Hart Lane, and if he’s even worth it, have been major talking points of the post-season so far.

But as far as AVB is concerned, his best player is simply not for sale.

He insists that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not be selling the club’s draw cards this transfer season.

In fact, with the arrival of savvy director of football Franco Baldini at the club, the feeling is that more players will leave than will depart.

And according to Villas-Boas, Bale in particular is destined to stay, no matter how much Real Madrid lust after him.

“We have the pledge of the chairman that Bale is not going to leave the club," Villas-Boas said, according to Spanish daily Marca.

If Spurs can retain Bale and secure a few of their reported transfer targets, who include strikers David Villa and Leandro Damiao, as well highly-rated young Brazilians Paulinho and Bernard, they could be tough contenders in what is expected to be the most tightly contested English top-flight season in years.