Micah Richards responds when asked if Gareth Bale stays at Tottenham this summer

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Micah Richards has told Sky Sports that he believes Gareth Bale will stay at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, even though his current loan deal will expire in June – stating that he believes the Welshman would even take a pay cut to remain.

Bale, 31, is finally firing on all cylinders. The 83-time Wales international notched another two goals during Sunday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, scoring a tap-in after a brilliant assist from Harry Kane, and then a brilliant header just after the restart.

The Real Madrid loanee now has six goals in his last six games and has entered double digits for the season – even though he has come off the bench in two of those six matches. But there are still doubts surrounding Bale, in terms of his future and fitness.

He lasted 70 minutes on Sunday, and has completed 90 minutes just once in his 22 appearances since returning to North London on loan. His future remains up in the air, but Richards believes that he will stay this summer – and is ready to take a pay cut.

“I think he stays at Spurs. I think he would take a pay cut to stay at Spurs,” Richards said. Bale will have 12 months left on his Madrid contract this summer, but the Evening Standard says there is the option for another season-long loan.

TBR’s view – Should Spurs keep him?

If this is a sign of things to come, then it becomes a no-brainer for Spurs to keep Bale. But if this is just a moment of good form and that the actual reality is something less than this, then he is not worth the enormous wage contribution Spurs are making.

As the report states, an option for another loan is included and that makes sense. Rather than signing him permanently and being tied to a big-money contract for a number of years, getting him on loan again will put Spurs in a better position.