Modric joined Real Madrid last summer and now Bale could follow. So, just what have Spurs got back from their special partnership with the Spanish giants?

Should the Welshman depart for the Bernabeu, the only positive Spurs can take is at least they will be content knowing they will get a significant financial boost from it.

And it will be yet another coming from the Spanish giants for the second summer running, following Luka Modric’s £33m move from north London to Madrid.

Just like the loss of Bale would hit Spurs, Modric’s departure was also expected to impact hard on Andre Villas-Boas’ team.

However, in announcing the sale of the Croatian, Spurs released an interesting statement regarding the formalities of the transfer.

Tottenham claimed:’ The club can announce that it has signed a partnership agreement with Real Madrid FC and reached agreement for the transfer of Luka Modric, subject to medical, to the Spanish club.

‘The partnership agreement will see the two clubs working together in respect of players, coaching, best practices and commercial relationships.’

Back then, it wasn’t clear exactly what Spurs would be getting out of the partnership. Like any transfer, they got their money for a player wanting to leave but how on earth could Real Madrid help them further?

One year on we are none the wiser. Spurs have received no players, no coaches and have unveiled no joint projects with the Spanish outfit to even make the ‘partnership’ look credible. Instead Spurs have just another transfer saga on their hands.

Nobody expected Tottenham to suddenly have first choice on Cristiano Ronaldo or Mesut Ozil, but they didn’t even come close to getting any player on loan from Madrid.