Gareth Bale is set to be rewarded for his superb recent form with an improved contract at Tottenham as the club seek to secure one of their prize assets for the long term.
The Welshman has been sensational in the second half of the season, producing several man-of-the-match displays and scoring in Spurs' victories over Arsenal and Chelsea.
Tomorrow's opponents Manchester United are believed to be keen to bring Bale to Old Trafford next season as a long-term replacement for his fellow countryman Ryan Giggs.
Bale signed a new deal in August 2008 worth around £25,000 a week, which does not expire until the summer of 2012, but his performances in helping Spurs into fourth in the League can expect to see him double his wages.
Spurs have a record of rewarding quickly excellence on the field with better terms.
Winger Aaron Lennon, expected be on the bench at Old Trafford after four months out with a groin injury, signed a new five-year deal in March 2009 which brought him closer to Spurs' top earners, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Jermain Defoe.
Defender Michael Dawson followed suit by putting pen to paper on a contract of the same length earlier in January this year.
Spurs' desire to ensure Bale remains at White Hart Lane for the long term marks a rapid turnaround in fortunes for the 20-year-old, who joined the club from Southampton in the summer of 2007 at the age of only 17.
Bale struggled with form and fitness during his first two-and-a-half years at the club and did not finish on the winning side for Spurs in the Premier League until their 5-0 victory over Burnley on 26 September last year.
He made only eight appearances before December and was a loan target for Middlesbrough and Newcastle but manager Harry Redknapp is desperate for him to stay.
"It would have scared me to death to have sold him," said Redknapp, who nevertheless preferred Benoit Assou-Ekotto to Bale at left-back during his first year in charge. "I knew what he could do. The sky is the limit for him."
