GARETH Bale took a massive step closer to joining Spurs last night in a deal potentially worth around £10m.

The 17-year-old Saints starlet, who is out of contract at St Mary's next summer, passed a medical at White Hart Lane.

The Daily Echo understands he and his agent, David Manessah, have agreed personal terms with the North London club for a four year contract.

As reported in yesterday's Echo, Saints will receive around £6m as a downpayment for the Welsh international left-back.

The total fee could well rise to eight figures depending on various add-ons.

Manchester United and Arsenal had previously been linked with Bale.

But United have just spent £17m on Owen Hargreaves and are reported to be weighing up an even bigger bid for Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Bale is expected to bolster a Spurs defence that conceded 54 league goals last season despite finishing fifth in the top flight for the second year running.

Spurs did not have a regular left-back last season - Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Young-Pyo Lee and Ricardo Rocha all had spells there.

The move would is consistent with Spurs'policy of buying the best young British talent. Jol has six players in the England B' squad for tonight's friendly against Albania.

Wales boss John Toshack said: "I've seen a lot of talented footballers over the years and Gareth is one of those who is in the mould to go on and be a great talent.

"Martin Jol, as well as Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, has an excellent track record of developing good youngsters into top players.

"Gareth's rise has certainly been meteoric and he has made such strides, I'm not that surprised that the big clubs have wanted to pay an awful lot of money to sign him.

"He wasn't fazed by the prospect of having to meet Brazil on his debut and he won't be overawed by going into the Premiership."