Gareth Bale transfer declaration made by Zinedine Zidane amid Tottenham return links

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has ruled out a Deadline Day exit for Gareth Bale.

Reports on Friday morning suggested that Tottenham are moving to bring the Welsh superstar back to North London - seven years after his £85million switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale and Zidane endured a breakdown in their relationship last summer, and the four-time Champions League winner had looked set to leave the Spanish capital.

However, he remained and has played a part - when fit - for Los Blancos this term.

Despite both calf and ankle issues this term, Bale has made 15 appearances for the Spanish league leaders, scoring three goals.

Now, amid claims that Spurs chief Daniel Levy is negotiating with Florentino Perez over a return, Zidane has insisted that he expects the 30 year-old to stay put as they pursue both domestic and European glory.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday morning, the Frenchman stated: "Gareth is here with us and I am counting on him.

"I am not contemplating this possibility."

Sources have also told Mirror Football that a move to take Bale back to North London is not happening.

Bale is set to be part of the Real Madrid squad for this weekend's derby with rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will train on Friday and could feature at the Bernabeu - although Zidane refused to confirm whether he is likely to start or have to settle for a place on the bench.

"We are 25 players and they are all very well," said Zidane. "I have to choose.

"The good thing about our team is that they are all involved and when they play they try to do it well and they give everything on the field. It is the most important thing.

"When you have 25 players and there are to make a call of 18, some will be left out and that is the complication for the coach.

"I will not say who will play. The players have to be prepared and everyone is. After training we will make the call."

Fit-again Eden Hazard, who completed his first training session on Thursday, is also in line to feature against Atleti.

Madrid sit three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga and can extend their advantage to six points with a win over Diego Simeone's men.