Gareth Bale was keen on a move to Manchester United this summer - but grew tired of waiting around for Ed Woodward to make a decision over long-term target Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
Bale recently completed a sensational return to Tottenham on a season-long loan, but had long been linked with a move to Old Trafford as his situation at Real Madrid seemingly worsened under Zinedine Zidane.
However, according to the Daily Mail, United were only prepared to move for Bale in the event they failed in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho.
United's interest in Sancho has been just about the worst kept secret of the summer transfer window, but they have so far been frustrated in making any sort of meaningful breakthrough for the winger, with Dortmund seemingly demanding upwards of £100m.
It seems the high-profile saga has been a frustration for Bale too, as well as United fans.
The 31-year old was believed to be keen on a move to the Red Devils, but grew tired of waiting on the glacial progress in moving for the England international.
When the proposal came in from Tottenham, he decided he could not wait any longer.
The news is unlikely to sit well with United fans, many of whom have been vocal in their criticisms of the club's dealings in this transfer window, with midfielder Donny van de Beek so far their only acquisition.
Bale himself seems to already be enjoying life back in North London, having recently been picture supporting his new team-mates during the last couple of Spurs games.
The Welshman has also returned to training this week, and hopes are high that he will be able to make his second debut for the club after the upcoming international break.
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett recently admitted there were other options on the table for the winger this summer, but insisted there can be no questions over his commitment to Spurs.
“This time I think circumstances made it a lot easier,” he told TalkSPORT. “It was all agreed that his career at Real Madrid was over so it was quite easy once we realised [Tottenham's interest] was serious. Everything was good.”
“We went through a lot of things together. Tottenham is his love - he loves Tottenham - he had other choices but at the end of the day that's the one he wanted and it's good to see him happy.
“He's got nothing to prove at all - just look at how successful he's been - he's won everything he could have possibly won and he's one of the world's greatest players.
“He wanted to play and obviously he will but his happiness is what matters the most and if he was going to move it was only going to be to somewhere he would smile again and be happy. He wouldn't move for the sake of it.
“We had other clubs, maybe bigger clubs than Tottenham, but he had to be happy where's he's gone and at the moment he's very happy.”
