Tottenham have reportedly jumped to the front of the queue to sign Southampton teenager Gareth Bale.

Alex Ferguson was apparently confident the 17-year-old would sign for Manchester United in an £8million deal that would see the Wales international see out the rest of the season on loan at St Mary's.

Yet Saints turned down the offer, and several national newspapers claim Spurs have now been successful with a bid of £10million, with The Mirrorgoing as far as saying Bale travelled to White Hart Lane yesterday for talks with Martin Jol.

Southampton boss George Burley has spent much of the last three weeks fending off questions over Bale's future, just as he had to last year with Theo Walcott.

And in the wake of Saints' 2-0 defeat of QPR on Saturday - in which Bale excelled - he said: "I've told Gareth I feel he needs to be here this season and next season, that would be ideal for his development.

"I haven't changed my opinion. You can't beat playing first-team football for the development of a young kid. At a big club it's harder to get into the team, which is understandable. It's best for the player to be in this league, at a good club, where he can find his feet."

Bale's current contract runs out in 18 months and talks over a one-year extension - the maximum allowed for a player of his age - have been shelved until the summer.

But before Spurs' latest reported bid, Burley was confident he could ride out the rest of the transfer window without losing the Wales international.

The Scot said: "Gareth doesn't want to go anywhere, certainly until the summer.

"We know he's going to go at some point, but our aim is to keep him as long as possible. No matter what he will be here until the end of the season.