The Tottenham midfielder has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital during the close-season but his manager is disappointed in the way his opposite number, Carlo Ancelotti, has behaved.

Ancelotti's comments on Wednesday revealed that the two clubs were in discussions regarding the Wales international, something Villas-Boas thinks should have remained private.

"Carlo is a person I appreciate a lot," he said. "We have great respect for each other, but bearing in mind this situation they have decided to make it public.

"Normally in situations like this it is scrutinised by the Football Association with lots of care and attention.

"We have seen lots of people speak about a player that is not theirs and we are due some respect.

"These rumours of an imminent transfer are not true. The only thing we have communicated with Real Madrid is that he is our player and he is not for sale."

The 35-year-old Portuguese sees Bale as the key figure in his plans for Tottenham after a successful first season at White Hart Lane, and is hopeful he will stay.

"Gareth is a guy I really like," he added. "We are building a great team for next season.

"We envisage the future with Gareth. But we know that in football anything is possible."

Bale ended last season as third-highest scorer in the Premier League with 21 goals in 33 appearances.