This story keeps running on and on...
Looks like those hopes of him staying are starting to fade rapidly. Yes there are no official statements from Bale, which is telling. But if he did say anything, it could be more damaging than do any good. So I think he is handling it in the right way. We all hated the reaction from Berbatov and Modric in forcing their move. Bale seems to have more class and if this transfer does happen then we can let Bale go with our compliments and thanks for all he has done for the club.
My only stipulation in the transfer would be that we have a buy back option and that when he gets to the last year of his contract we are allowed to talk to the player. We could then have a future investment in the making. Bale could be welcomed back, if he wanted to return to England, with open arms after he has had the continental experience. If he wants to go to Real, then Levy should respect the professionalism with which he has shown so far. If he plays it correctly, Bale will be a club legend and would surely return one day.
There is one reason and one reason alone that Bale will go this year, rather than giving us one more season and that is the lack of investment that we needed in order to secure 3rd or even 2nd spot. So let us not jump on Bale's back when he goes.