Tottenham Hotspur will refuse to hold further talks with Real Madrid over the sale of Gareth Bale until they substantially increase their world record offer for the Wales international, The Telegraph reported.

Although there was an acceptance at the Premier League lub last week that Bale’s departure was inevitable it is understood that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has hardened his position, having been angered by Real’s increasingly aggressive, and public, pursuit of the player.

Spurs are determined not to negotiate further with Real, who have already offered in excess of £80 million for Bale.

The open courting of the 24-year-old forward – by current Real players and the club’s coaching staff, including Zinedine Zidane – has annoyed Tottenham, who have also become frustrated at the injuries the Wales international has complained about since Real’s interest intensified.

Levy’s position was echoed last night by Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who said he thought his Real counterpart Carlo Ancelotti was “wrong” to speak about the club’s interest in Bale.

“This situation they have decided to make public,” he said. “Normally situations like this in England are scrutinised by the Football Association with lots of care and attention. We have seen lots of people speaking about a player who is not theirs.”