The day Tottenham almost traded Bale for Leighton Baines

Gareth Bale became the world-class player he was for years and is now trying to become again thanks to his change of position. But in his early days as a left-back it wasn't all that easy.

During his early years at Tottenham, Bale's career could have changed many times over. And in the end, a different decision could have transformed his career completely, like the one Spurs almost made in 2008.

Joleon Lescott, former central defender of Everton and Manchester City, told a story in 'Sky Sports' about Bale and a match between Tottenham and Everton he was playing with at the time.

That day, Lescott was leaving with Leighton Baines in the dressing room tunnel after the game. The two were chatting when Harry Redknapp, a former spurs coach, took the opposing left-back for a chat.

After that, the Englishman approached Baines again and asked him what had happened. "He told me that Tottenham wanted to exchange him for Bale," revealed Joleon Lescott, who said that there was only one obstacle to this move: "Bale's lack of experience at the time. David Moyes didn't want to make the switch.