TOTTENHAM boss Martin Jol has started a bidding war for Southampton whizzkid Gareth Bale.
Dutchman Jol has stolen a march on Arsenal and Manchester United by tabling a £6m bid for the 17-year-old Welsh left back. Jol is desperate for a new left back in January as Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Lee Young Pyo have struggled defensively.
Spurs are hoping to tempt Southampton into selling even though they have publicly said they did not want to part with the player in January. Cardiff-born Bale became the youngest player to appear for Wales last season when he made his debut in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago as a 16 year old.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger signed Bale's former team mate Theo Walcott for £10m last January and despite claiming he will not sign players in January he is desperate to add Bale to his squad.
But now it appears it will be a scrap between three clubs for Bale's signature with Tottenham hoping the first move may help them land their man.
Wenger is acutely aware that he wants back-up for Gael Clichy at Arsenal and sees Bale as the perfect solution.
Wenger cryptically said yesterday: "I know him, that is all I can say."