Inter Milan will make a £40m move for Tottenham's Gareth Bale in the summer, the most that has ever been offered for a player of his age and experience, reports The Guardian. That £40m sum could rise higher as the Italian champions' move would provoke a bidding war with Real Madrid, where José Mourinho is a confirmed admirer of the 21 year old.
The transfer record for a British player remains the £29m Manchester United paid Leeds United for Rio Ferdinand in 2002.
Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, has placed Bale at the top of his shopping-list after Bale scored a hat-trick in Tottenham's 4-3 defeat at San Siro.
The Wales international was also outstanding in the White Hart Lane return, which his team won 3-1. Both games were notable for Bale's humbling of Maicon, the Brazil right-back previously considered by many the world's strongest in his position.
There is little doubt, however, that Tottenham's hopes of keeping Bale would reduce dramatically if they failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
