Gareth Bale returns to training for Tottenham today - and David Villa could follow as early as this week, The Mirror reports

The Barcelona striker has reached an agreement in principle with Spurs and it is now down to the two clubs to agree a fee.

Tottenham’s offer to Barca, however, has not yet met the £8.6million asking price that the Spanish champions are demanding.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believes he can drive the price downas Barca want to get Villa off the wage bill now that he has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Barca do not want to find themselves committed to paying Villa’s wages next season, around £110,000-a-week, when he would simply allowed to leave on a free when his contract expires next May.