Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has told Inter Milan that Gareth Bale is not for sale 'at any price', as he 'wouldn't be able to replace him'.
Bale scored a superb hat-trick in the 4-3 defeat at the San Siro last October before running rings around Brazil full-back Maicon to inspire Tottenham to a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane in the reverse fixture the following month.
The 21-year-old, who arrived at Tottenham from Southampton in 2007 for £5million, signed a new four-year contract in May last year after reports of Inter's interest first began to emerge.
Redknapp insists Bale is too valuable to sell and is adamant any bid for his star man would be rebuffed.
"We won't be selling Gareth Bale in the summer, it's up to the chairman but I'd be very surprised if we were interested in selling him at any price," Redknapp said. "You have special players in your team and if we're going to be a top team you've got to keep your top players, you can't be selling Gareth Bale.
"You've got three or four players who can make a difference and he's one of those players.
"And, if you lose him, you can't replace him. Where are you going to replace him? You go and get one from here, one from there, another one.
"When he gets the ball something happens, he can do something that no-one else can do. We can't afford to lose him."
Spurs' push for domestic and European honours suffered a blow this week when midfield anchorman Tom Huddlestone suffered a serious setback in his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out since November.
The England man, who Redknapp has compared to Spurs midfield great Glenn Hoddle, had hoped to be back in action by the middle of next month.
But the setback has meant Redknapp may now be forced to drop the former Derby player from his 25-man squad if the injury proves to be serious.
"Tom's had a setback and it seems he's going to be longer than we expected," Redknapp said. "His ankle is sore. He tried to do a bit of running and is still a long way away.
"We will have to look at his situation with regard to the 25-man squad. I am hoping he'll be okay as he is important to us and is a fantastic player.
"We need him but we will have to make sure how it goes and discuss it with the medical people."
Fellow midfielders Sandro (back) and Wilson Palacios (knee) are doubts for Sunday's FA Cup game at Fulham, but Redknapp insists his injury crisis will not force him to plunge into the transfer market.
He said: "We won't get a new player. Where do you go to find a new player? It's very hard. This window is about people panic buying."
Redknapp did admit, though, that his lack of midfielders means Jermaine Jenas, who has been linked with Aston Villa, will definitely not be leaving White Hart Lane this month.
Redknapp added: "Aston Villa have never made an offer to us. We can't afford to lose anyone at the moment. We are short in that area."
Robbie Keane, who has caught the eye of Birmingham and West Ham, now looks to be staying at the club and Redknapp denied reports that he is considering dropping the Republic of Ireland hitman from his 25-man squad, which has to be submitted on Monday.
"I'm not in a desperate rush to get rid of Robbie Keane, I like Robbie Keane, I think he's a good player," Redknapp said. "If he stays he will make the 25-man squad. There's no way I would leave him out of the squad. I've got too much respect for Robbie Keane as a player and as a person."
