Andre Villas-Boas must splash Gareth Bale cash quickly

GARETH BALE was last week told by Real Madrid that it was ‘now or never’ for his move to the ­Bernabeu – and Tottenham now realise they are in the same position.

Selling Gareth Bale could net Tottenham an eye-watering £100m

Boss Andre Villas-Boas is desperate to avoid a repeat of the transfer ­market mistakes that have cost them in the past.

So it is no surprise he wants Bale’s future resolved sooner ­rather than later.

Spurs could strike an incredible deal worth anything between £80m and £100m by selling their prized asset to Madrid.

It would be a world record transfer done with huge ­reluctance from the key men at White Hart Lane.

Gareth Bale seems to be edging closer to a dream move to Spanish giants Real Madrid

Villas-Boas has struck up a strong bond with Bale, helping him to ­develop into one of the most ­devastating ­players in the world.

And chairman Daniel Levy won’t enjoy being bullied into selling ­another star name by one of the big boys, even if he banks mega money again.

But doing so might be for the best, ­especially if it is done quickly.

Spurs have earned an ­unwanted reputation for ­leaving things to the last minute when it comes to transfer dealings, both in and out – but the Londoners also know only too well how ­dangerous dithering can be.

Last year they stood their ground over Luka Modric before finally ­caving in and selling the Croatian playmaker to Madrid on August 27.

They pocketed a huge £33m from the deal but had next to no time to spend it on a suitable replacement.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has a reputation for leaving signings to the last-minute

“Selling Bale for a fee like that gives Andre Villas-Boas a chance to spend and strengthen – so you could be looking at four or five great additions”

Ex-Spurs defender John Scales

Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey eventually arrived from Fulham, two games into the season.

Spurs had already squandered five points by that stage and dropped another two in their third game of the campaign.

They were pipped to fourth at the end of the season by their biggest ­enemies Arsenal by just a point, ­leaving Villas-Boas looking back on their start to the season and wondering ‘What if?’.

Four years earlier, Spurs sold their talisman Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United in the final minutes of deadline day.

Again they secured big money, £30.75m – along with United rookie Fraizer Campbell – for the ­Bulgarian striker.

But the cash was left burning a hole in Levy’s pocket until January ­because, once again, the deal was done too late for Spurs to adequately ­replace the star they had just sold.

Tottenham are eager to add Valencia and Spain striker Roberto Soldado to their squad

The hangover was even worse ­following Berbatov’s messy exit, as Spurs made their worst-ever start to a season by picking up just two points in their first eight games.

Harry Redknapp replaced the ­hapless Juande Ramos in October, with Spurs bottom of the table.

Tottenham are said to be keen on PSG playmaker and Argentina international Javier Pastore

And after their nightmare start, Redknapp’s task was nothing more than a ­rescue act as he hauled the club e­ventually up to eighth.

Ex-Chelsea boss Villas-Boas, who is on the verge of landing Valencia’s £26m hitman ­Roberto Soldado, has much bigger ambitions for Spurs.

They are already behind their big rivals, battling to force their way into the top four, and could do without being held back by ­another protracted transfer saga.

Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao may join Spurs as a part of the Bale deal

Villas-Boas wants to hit the ground running, and is already preparing for the worst by ­making contingency plans to cover Bale’s possible exit.

PSG’s attacking midfielder Javier Pastore is one name on his wish list, as revealed in Starsport yesterday.

Madrid duo Angel Di Maria and ­Fabio Coentrao could also help soften the blow of Bale’s departure if they are offered as sweeteners.

And ex-Spurs defender John Scales reckons Bale’s departure might be for the best.

Real Madrid and Argentina winger Angel Di Maria has also been linked with a move to White Hart Lane

He said: “It’s not all doom and gloom, because it’s pretty clear they (Real) have made a world record bid – or are preparing to.

“Selling Bale for a fee like that gives Andre Villas-Boas a chance to spend and strengthen – so you could be looking at four or five great additions.”

Andre Villas-Boas wants a quick end to the saga so he can focus on Spurs' push for Champions League football