Real have maintained a constant public campaign to try to woo Bale this summer, with a number of senior players admitting they would love the Tottenham forward to join them at the Bernabeu.
Real president Florentino Perez appeared to question whether the nine-time European champions would be willing to stump up the world-record fee required to persuade Spurs to sell their prize asset.
"100million euros (?86million) seems to me like a lot of money, all things considered," Perez said in an interview with ESPN.
Some construed Perez's comments as evidence that Real were going cold on the deal, but sources close to Bale have insisted that talks are still ongoing over a transfer.
With over three weeks left until the window closes, the transfer saga still has plenty of potential to rumble on.
Tottenham reportedly want at least one Real player plus cash in return for Bale, with Portugal left-back Fabio Coentrao the most prominent name mentioned of late.
Bale is expected to sit out Tottenham's friendly against Espanyol on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been taking part in one-to-one sessions as he bids to recover from a foot injury.
But even though he has been selected for Wales' game against the Republic of Ireland next week, Andre Villas-Boas is unlikely to play the forward at White Hart Lane.
Source: PA
Source: PA