Jose Mourinho: 'I was interested in Gareth Bale last summer'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he failed in an attempt to sign Gareth Bale for Real Madrid last summer.

The Tottenham Hotspur winger looks likely to complete his move to the Spanish giants this summer, but Mourinho has claimed that he tried to recruit the 24-year-old 12 months ago.

The 50-year-old told ESPN: "I asked the club to buy him last season but it was not possible.

"It looks like it is happening this season so I am happy for them because they have got a fantastic player but, of course, the numbers are huge numbers and the kid has to go now and there's pressure to prove that he's worth that investment."

Mourinho returned to manage Chelsea after three seasons at Madrid this summer.