Bale is Wales' youngest senior international player

BBC Radio Solent understands the 17-year-old rejected the chance to join Tottenham, who had a �10m bid accepted by Southampton last week.

Bale has 18 months left on his contract, but will see out the season with Southampton, before his advisors decide what his next step will be.

Earlier during the transfer window Manchester United had an �8m offer rejected for the player.

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The teenager has attracted a host of Premiership clubs with solid performances for his club and for Wales.

The left-back has also become renowned as a free-kick specialist, scoring four times from set-pieces for the Saints.

He became the second youngest player to have played for Southampton, after Theo Walcott, making his debut last April at the age of 16 years and 275 days.

Bale made his international debut as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago and in turn became the youngest player to appear for Wales - 16 years and 315 days.

He scored his first goal for Wales with a free-kick in the Euro 2008 qualification match against Slovakia last October.