Tottenham working hard to bring back cult hero ahead of deadline

Tottenham are working around the clock to thrash out a deal that would see Gareth Bale return to north London this month, reports the Sunday Express. 

The Wales international left for Real Madrid in a then-world record deal in 2013, but Bale has been heavily linked with a return to England in recent seasons. 

However, any deal fails to come to fruition as, for one reason or another, Bale remains in Spain. 

That said, Jose Mourinho is hoping to bring in three new players before next week's deadline, with Gedson Fernandes the only signing this month, the midfielder arriving from Benfica. 

Spurs would be keen on a loan deal for Bale, but Real Madrid are eager to shift the 30-year-old from their books, which could prove a stumbling block. 

A new attacker is a priority for Mourinho and the north London outfit, with Borussia Dortmund pair Paco Alcacer and Mario Gotze also mooted with a move to the capital, as has Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose, but Mourinho's preferance is Bale. 

Bale has been restricted to just nine league starts this season and has two goals and two assists to his name.