Gareth Bale has regularly attracted speculation during the transfer window in the past few years but the saga surrounding the Welshman is really heating up.
Surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, Spurs are locked in negotiations with the Spanish side regarding a deal to bring him back to north London.
Bale has long been linked with a return to Spurs but the finances have never been viable for a deal to be secured but there is now the chance of a loan deal.
Bale left Spurs in 2013 and went on to win the Champions League four times, two La Liga titles and three Club World Cups among other trophies.
While Manchester United have also been linked with a move, Spurs are in the driving seat for a deal - but what shirt numbers are available at the club? His old number 11 is currently worn by Erik Lamela, but there is another previous number he could reclaim.
No. 3
One of Bale's previous numbers at Tottenham was the number three jersey, which has become available following Danny Rose's ousting from the squad.
The England international only learned that he was not among the Spurs' squad numbers through the new season via a friend and is poised to complete an exit from Jose Mourinho's squad.
Rose spent the second half of last season on loan with Newcastle United and is touted for a move to the Serie A to join Genoa.
No. 9
Tottenham have struggled to find a star for their number nine jersey in recent years, with the number last worn by Vincent Janssen in 2019.
Roberto Soldado and Roman Pavlychuenko have both failed to grace the shirt in the past decade, with the last real success with the number being Dimitar Berbatov over a decade ago.
Bale could be the man to change Spurs' track record with the number though and, giving his stature, this seems like a likely option for the Wales international.
No. 13
Usually a number reserved for the second-choice goalkeeper in the squad, the number 13 was made vacant this summer following Michel Vorm's exit.
Joe Hart may have been expected to take this number upon his arrival on a free transfer but opted for the number 12 shirt, so 13 is still available.
With Bale's previous number three shirt not being applicable for his attacking prowess and the number 11 being worn by Erik Lamela, the number 13 could be a decent alternative.
No. 14
Another number that has become available this summer following Georges-Kevin Nkoudou's exit, Spurs haven't really had a star in the shirt since Luka Modric.
Across north London, the number 14 is iconic for Arsenal having previously been graced by Thierry Henry and now being worn by club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Since the aforementioned Modric, Spurs haven't had too much success with this number but Bale could be the man to rival Aubameyang on the other side of the divide.
No. 16
With Kyle Walker-Peters having joined Southampton, the number 16 is available for Bale to take if he wants a rather unorthodox choice.
Bale does have history with this number, however, as it graced the back of his shirt up until 2008 - so he may opt for a walk down memory lane.
Since Bale, the number has been worn by Kyle Walker, Iago Falque, Kyle Naughton and Kieran Trippier.
