Real Madrid reserve number 11 shirt for Gareth Bale?

Real Madrid are reportedly poised to up their efforts to sign Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale by reserving their number 11 shirt for him.

The Spanish side employed a similar move last season in their pursuit of Luka Modric, as they eventually secured a deal to lure him away from White Hart Lane.

They hope that this will work again this time with Bale along with an £85m bid for the Welshman, even if it takes until the end of August, reports The Mirror.

The number 11 shirt at the Bernabeu is currently vacant following the departure of Ricardo Carvalho to AS Monaco.