Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has stressed the importance of keeping the star players at the club despite missing out on the top four finish this season. Star players like Gareth Bale have been extremely influential for the club, but due to their impressive performances this season, they have been linked with clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Bale is widely expected to leave Tottenham after the club failed to finish in the top four, which will provide them the ability to play in the Champions League group stages. Bale has played in the elite European competition only once in his career.

Tottenham managed a 1-0 win over Sunderland on the final day of the season, but Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle was enough for their North London rivals to seal a top four place along with Chelsea. The 23-year-old has managed to win a whole host of individual awards this season including the PFA awards. He has become the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win both the PFA awards in a single season. He also scored the only goal of the game against Sunderland. It was his 23rd of the season, while he has also contributed numerous assists as well.

The Welshman is expected to cost in the region of £ 40 million.

"If we want to make it better next season we have to hold on to our best assets and this is what I have been told from the top. We felt we did enough to deserve fourth spot. We are disappointed but we knew these could be the circumstances. Tottenham is a wonderful club who will continue to attract big players and will continue to push on. It was a very good season. We pushed all the way for fourth and third spot and I think we can make it better next season," said Villas-Boas.