Mauricio Pochettino Hails 'Magnificent' Gareth Bale Ahead of Tottenham Return

Mauricio Pochettino has hailed his former side's business in the transfer window as Tottenham close in on the double signing of Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon.

Jose Mourinho replaced the Argentine in the hotseat back in November, steering Spurs away from 14th and up into sixth after a miserable start to the season.

Seven years on from his north London departure, the imminent loan signing of Bale will be followed by the permanent acquisition of Reguilon, with Spurs doing a double raid on Real Madrid. Some concerns remain over Bale's fitness and age, but Pochettino brushed off such claims and insisted his experience will be key.

"Bale is a magnificent footballer at an age that still has strength as well as experience and maturity," he told Partidazo de COPE. "‘He has been decisive in Madrid, he has won four European Cups, he has scored in important games, he has always been very affectionate with me."

90min revealed back in November, upon Pochettino's sacking, that Daniel Levy had offered Mourinho the chance to sign Bale after taking over, an opportunity he revealed was never available to him.

"There was never the possibility," Pochettino continued. "Everything was focused on the construction of the stadium, but it would have been a great contribution for the team."

Following Bale to the Premier League is left-back Reguilon, a highly-rated defender back in Spain who enjoyed a superb season on loan at Sevilla last term, lifting the Europa League trophy, but has nevertheless been deemed surplus to requirements in Madrid.

"It seems to me that he [Reguilon] has a lot of spirit," Pochettino added. "He has great potential and will continue to grow."

The deal for Reguilon is expected to include a buy-back clause, which reportedly put Manchester United off a potential transfer.

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!