Tottenham failed to bring Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale back to the club last week over his wage demands.

Even Jose Mourinho's backing could not force the deal over the line on Friday.

Tottenham's interest in re-signing Bale prompted chairman Daniel Levy to skip across Europe for talks with Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Pérez, according to The Times.

Spurs reportedly believed a "breakthrough" had been made in the hours before the window closed and had "growing confidence" a deal could be agreed.

But, according to the Daily Mail, Bale's reluctance to take a pay cut on his £600,000-per-week wages meant negotiations came unstuck. His agent had been less descriptive with his view.

The report claims head coach Mourinho was "fully behind" the ultimately fruitless attempt to pull off what would have been a statement of intent.