Gareth Bale is January target for Juventus

Real Madrid will reportedly be contested in their pursuit of Gareth Bale, with Juventus set to make their move for the Tottenham star in the January transfer window.

Bale has frequently linked with a transfer to Real Madrid of late but, according to the Daily Express, Jose Mourinho will have to battle with Juventus is he wants to sign the 23-year-old Tottenham winger.

The Welshman had reportedly been identified as a top summer target for Real Madrid, but Juventus are now being linked with an earlier swoop for Bale than the Santiago Bernabeu club.

Juventus, it is claimed, are planning to hijack Real Madrid's swoop for Bale, who this week said he is interested in exploring the option of playing away from the Premier League.

Bale has enjoyed a fine start to the season for Tottenham, having scored six goals in 16 appearances for the White Hart Lane club as they outline their Champions League credentials.

Tottenham are currently in fourth place in the Premier League - five points above rivals Arsenal and ten points behind leaders Manchester United.