ARSENAL have entered the battle to sign £10million-rated Gareth Bale.But SunSport understands the Southampton left-back, 17, is not interested in a move to the Gunners. Manchester United and Tottenham are also in for the Wales international. Spurs are favourites as Bale has been assured of first-team football while United and Arsenal cannot guarantee it.
Bale is also worried his career would go backwards if he joined any of the big four now. Saints boss George Burley has urged his player to see out the season on the South Coast.
Team-mate Chris Baird also wants Bale to stay — and help Southampton win promotion to the Premiership this term. Saints are currently fifth in the Championship and are seven points away from top club Derby.
Baird, 24, said: “Gareth will go on to bigger and better things as he is fantastic both on and off the pitch. “But all of us hope we can keep him. He’s a great asset and we are pushing for promotion.
“We want to be a Premiership team next season and we want to do that with Gareth Bale in our team.”
