Bookmakers have suspended betting on Gareth Bale making a shock return to Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the month.
According to the Daily Mail , a flurry of big money bets have been placed on the Welsh superstar making a return to North London, seven years after he left for the Spanish capital for a world record fee of £85m.
Paddy Power slashed their odds on the move happening on Tuesday morning from 3/1 to 8/15, before eventually suspending betting on the possible move.
It comes despite agent Jonathan Barnett playing down the chances of a departure, telling ESPN earlier in the month that Bale was staying put in January and, "very unlikely" to leave at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, speculation over a move has continued to rumble on, and Tottenham have now emerged as shock contenders for his signature.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho tried to sign Bale when he was at Manchester United, and the club have now reportedly held talks with Madrid's hierarchy with a view to exploring a potential move.
Reports in Spain have claim Daniel Levy has already met with Madrid's president Florentino Perez in a bid to end a seven-year stint that has publicly soured under boss Zinedine Zidane.
Spanish football expert Juanfe Sanz, told El Chiringuito TV : “Levy, president of Tottenham, has been with Florentino today and asked him about Bale."
The 30-year old's future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of intense speculation for some time.
He seemingly came close to leaving the club for China back in the summer, only for Florentino Perez to block the deal at the last minute.
Since then, Bale has started just nine matches in La Liga, and has scored just two goals.
