Where Wales star earned his Spurs – Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham in pictures

Gareth Bale could be set for a return to north London as his representatives are understood to be working on a deal to take the winger back to Tottenham.

The Welshman developed into one of the Premier League’s shining stars during his stint at Spurs before heading to Real Madrid seven years ago for a then world-record fee of £85.3million.

His early years at Tottenham were blighted by injuries and a lack of clarity over where he was best suited, while his first victory as a starter in the top flight came at the 23rd time of asking in January 2010.

Bale quickly kicked on as later that year he bagged a hat-trick against Inter Milan at San Siro, with Spurs losing 4-3 despite his efforts, while he was subsequently integral to a famous Tottenham win over the reigning European champions at White Hart Lane.

In his final season before moving to Spain, he scored 21 times in 33 top-flight appearances – the first time he had reached double figures – to collect a glut of individual honours.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at Bale’s time with Tottenham in pictures.