Here is a letter emailed to the Daily Echo regarding, who else, Gareth Bale I cannot understand all the speculation over the Gareth Bale saga.

The situation appears plain. As I understand it, he and his representatives have agreed to him helping Saints back to the Premiership this season which means he is happy to stay until at least early May, by which time our fate will be known.

The situation will then be reviewed and, if we are promoted, discussions can take place about his future, whatever that may be.

If we fail to achieve promotion, it is almost certain he will leave.

As regards his value, I cannot see anything other than an increase in his value, assuming he maintains and improves his current form.

He will still have 12 months to go on his current contract and the big clubs will want him immediately rather than risk waiting a further year.

As regards his value, it has to be at least £10m, and with a sell-on clause.

He is still only 17 and, providing he stays clear of serious injury, has at least 15/16 good years ahead of him.

Remember Alan Shearer? A proven top flight scorer at 21 years old, sold for a pathetic £3.5m and resold for £15m a few years later with no financial benefit to Saints!

I hope we get promoted and Bale signs at least a year's extension to give him regular Premiership experience.

However if we fail to get promoted, the financial reality would force us to sell him to the highest bidder.

Alan Douglas, Southampton.