Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that Inter Milan made Spurs a financially significant offer for Gareth Bale.
Speaking to UK news outlet Spurs-Web, the former England international revealed that the bid from the Nerazzurri came in after Bale had scored a Champions League hattrick against them.
Whilst Bale has now hung up his boots, the Welshman had been one of the most high-profile footballers of the past decade or so.
Whilst a Real Madrid player, Bale won three La Liga titles. And he also won the Champions League on a remarkable five occasions.
The 34-year-old did struggle with persistent injuries that perhaps limited from achieving his full potential.
But when in form, there were few forwards more feared across European football than Bale.
And before he was playing for Real Madrid, Bale shone for Spurs in the Premier League.
The Welshman enjoyed one of the most memorable individual campaigns during the Premier League in the 2012-13 season with the North Londoners.
But Bale’s initial breakout moment came in a Champions League group stage match against Inter in 2010.
Jermain Defoe: Inter Made Big Money Offer For Gareth Bale
When Spurs faced Inter in the Champions League group stage in 2010, the Nerazzurri were the defending champions in the competition.
And when Inter were 4-0 up in the first half at San Siro, it seemed clear enough that they had sealed the win.
And Inter did win. But the final scoreline was 4-3 for the Italian team.
Bale put in an absolutely unplayable second half display. Coming up against Nerazzurri legend Maicon, then one of Europe’s outstanding fullbacks, Bale marauded up the left flank over and over, scoring on three occasions.
This was the kind of form that eventually saw Bale playing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But as Defoe reveals, Inter attempted to bring the Welshman in years before then.
The former striker recalled, “That was one of the best performances I’ve seen.”
“Did you know that they put a bid in afterwards?” he continued.
“Inter said they wanted him for £40m. I’d never seen anything like it.”
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