Jan Vertonghen pleads for Gareth Bale stay

Jan Vertonghen is desperate for Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Gareth Bale to stay at White Hart Lane - despite growing interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, reports talkSPORT.

The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form for the north Londoners this season, adding two more goals to his impressive tally in last night's 2-1 Europa League victory over Lyon.

Bale netted two free-kicks - the second in the final minute of stoppage time - to give Spurs a vital advantage over their Ligue 1 opponents, ahead of next week's last-32 second leg in France.

The Welsh winger has now scored each of the last six goals for Andre Villas-Boas's side, with no other Tottenham player having found the net in 392 minutes of action.

His influential first-team displays mean that Bale's team-mates know just how pivotal a part he can play in the club's future success, with summer signing Vertonghen having already pleaded with him not to leave this summer.

"I'm glad he's a part of our team," the former Ajax captain said. "I'm pleased I don't have to play against him, except when I represent Belgium!

"He's an amazing player, everybody can see that. I hope he stays next season as well."