SPURS have replaced Arsenal as the favourites to capture Saints starlet Gareth Bale, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

The White Hart Lane side are 11/10 with Arsenal, who were backed in to 6/4 from an opening price of 20/1, now second favourites to sign the 17-year-old Welsh international.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "The early birds all went for Arsenal and we were beginning to think we might have been a bit generous with our price - but all the money over night and first thing was for Spurs.

"It may be that neither of them win the race, but it will be interesting to see how the market moves as deadline day approaches."

LATEST BETTING.

Where will Gareth Bale start next season ?

Tottenham 11/10.

Arsenal 6/4.

Manchester United 3/1.

SAINTS 20/1.

Chelsea 25/1.

Newcastle 33/1.

West Ham United 33/1.

Bale's options.

ARSENAL.

Little chance of claiming regular first team football. Gael Clichy has successfully replaced Ashley Cole at left-back and 17-year-old Armand Traore, another Frenchman, has impressed in the Carling Cup.

Arsene Wenger can also play William Gallas at left-back if needed.

The presence of Theo Walcott, his former Saints academy team-mate, at the Emirates Stadium is a tick in the right box for Bale should Wenger decide to make a move. But the boss has repeatedly said he is not looking to bring any new players in during the current window.

TOTTENHAM.

The White Hart Lane club easily provide Bale with his best chance of claiming regular first team football.

Both Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Young-Pyo Lee have failed to shine at left-back this season while boss Martin Jol is also short of quality left-footed midfielders.

Jol is also keen on signing young quality British talent - witness the arrival of the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Ben Alnwick in recent years.

Spurs, though, have rarely been in the running for the major trophies in recent years. They have not won the league since 1961 and they last won the FA Cup in 1991. Since then, their only major honour was the League Cup in 2001 and they have never finished in the Premiership's top four.

MANCHESTER UNITED.

Patrice Evra has been United's regular left-back this season, while Gabriel Heinze can also play in that position. Spurs were recently linked with a £5m move for the Argentinian, but Sir Alex Ferguson would only sell if he could be sure of signing Bale.

A plus point for Fergie is the presence at Old Trafford of Welsh legend Ryan Giggs, a childhood hero of Bale's and his current international colleague.