Redknapp: Bale here to stay

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has insisted the English Premier League club will not cash in on star winger Gareth Bale.

Bale, crowned the PFA’s Player of the Year on Sunday after a breakout season with Spurs, is believed to have attracted interest from a clutch of top clubs across Europe.

The Wales international signed a deal in April that ties him to White Hart Lane until 2015. With clubs the calibre of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan reportedly keen on him, however, it seems a big-money offer will be put to Tottenham in the off-season.

But Redknapp is adamant the club will hang on to Bale and indeed bolster their squad further in an attempt to return to the Champions League, following their quarter-final departure at the hands of Real earlier this month.

“We’re not looking to sell Gareth Bale. You’ve got to build a team, not rip a team to pieces,” Redknapp said.

“Tottenham have got to try to get into the Champions League again. We’ve only ever done it once, and it’s no good doing it once and then drifting away for 20 years, is it?”

“You’ve got to keep your best players and add to them. You’ve got to bring more good players in to add to the good players you’ve got and make sure every year you’re up there challenging.”

“I’ve said many times, why can’t Tottenham win a championship? It’s not impossible.”

Redknapp, speaking ahead of Spurs’ English Premier League clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, has also been forced to deny having contact with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about a possible move to Stamford Bridge.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be in his last days at the club after the Blues’ failure to defend their league title and an exit from the Champions League, with Redknapp reportedly one of Abramovich’s targets.

“I don’t take a lot of notice,” Redknapp told The Daily Mirror. “I just get on with it. It’s speculation.”

“I’ve never spoken to anyone from Chelsea. No one’s come to me and said that Chelsea are interested in me or anything else. I’ve got a job to do here. I love it here. I’m happy here.”