Gareth Bale and Real Madrid were on Monday night preparing for his unveiling as the most expensive player in history in defiance of the latest twist in the summer’s biggest transfer saga, the Telegraph reports.

Bale remained on course to seal an £86 million move from Tottenham to the Bernabeu after returning to London from Spain to await the green light to travel back to Madrid and sign a six-year, £8.5 million a-year contract.

He and Real were confident of being given the all clear, despite sources at White Hart Lane on Monday denying an agreement had already been struck between the clubs.

Even more dramatic were claims a rival bid was being considered, despite Bale’s heart being set on Real.

It was unclear from where such an offer would have emerged, with Paris St Germain — and possibly Manchester United — the only clubs linked to the player with the financial muscle to compete with Real’s record-breaking bid.

United quickly distanced themselves from any suggestion they might be trying to hijack the deal, while PSG did not respond to requests for comment.