Gylfi: He'll attract the best players to Spurs

GYLFI SIGURDSSON says keeping hold of Gareth Bale is crucial to Spurs’ hopes of bringing more big names to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham continue to insist their Welsh wonder is not for sale — even though Real Madrid and Manchester United are waiting in the wings.

And Sigurdsson believes the presence of Bale next season will be vital if they are to land top-quality talent.

The Icelandic midfielder, 23, said: “He is important from that point of view.

“Good players want to play with other big players.

“It’s a big club and hopefully he’ll stay and we’ll bring in a few other good players.

“He’s a great player and if he stays it will be fantastic. I’m sure he will stay.”

Spurs got a taste of life without Bale when they were beaten 3-1 by Sunderland in the opening game of the Barclays Premier League Asia trophy on Wednesday.

The Wales international ace has an injury to his right buttock but could be back to play some part against South China tomorrow.

White Hart Lane boss Andre Villas-Boas is pressing on with his summer recruitment drive.

A deal for Valencia’s Spanish international forward Roberto Sol-dado hangs in the balance.

And Spurs have already added Brazil ace Paulinho and Belgian winger Nacer Chadli to their squad this summer as they look to break into the top four. Speaking at the Premier League Community Festival here this week, Sigurdsson said: “We saw Paulinho in the Confederations Cup, he looked a good player there and was shining.

“We’ve signed Nacer Chadli as well, who is looking really good in training. Hopefully we’ll bring a couple more in.

“You never know how it’s going to go, there could be a couple of other teams fighting for the title. There’s going to be about six teams fighting up there — it’s always tough, whatever year it is.”

Spurs got to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2011 but fans have suffered the agony of just missing out on a place in Europe’s top competition for the last two seasons.

In 2012 they finished fourth but got bumped down to the Europa League as sixth-placed Chelsea qualified instead by winning the Champions League.

And last season, deadly rivals Arsenal pipped Spurs by a point to fourth spot on the final day.

Sigurdsson added: “The players talk about when they got into the Champions League and how fantastic it was.

“Then missing out when Chelsea won the Champions League and being fifth last season was very disappointing. We’re determined to make it our year.”