Tottenham face mounting pressure to keep hold of Gareth Bale beyond the end of this season. The Mirror says Barcelona have stepped up their interest in Bale, after sending scouts to watch the Spurs winger SEVEN times this season.

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is believed to have sounded out Bale's representatives and wants to see if Tottenham will sell the Welsh star.

Although chairman Daniel Levy insists Bale is not for sale, the Spanish giants believe he does have a price somewhere north of £40million.