Forest plan ambitious Bale raid
Manager Billy Davies has met with the club's acquisitions' panel to discuss the players he hopes to bring in to bolster his squad.
And Welsh international Bale is at the top of his wish list, which is believed to include at least four new additions.
Forest have previously enquired about the 20-year-old, who cost the London club £5m when he signed from Southampton in May 2007.
But it is understood that chairman Nigel Doughty is prepared to finance a move for the player, who has also attracted interest from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, if he can be persuaded to sign for the Reds.
Welsh international team-mates Chris Gunter and Robert Earnshaw could be critical in persuading Bale of the club's ambitions – although if the Serie A giants do express an interest, Forest will almost certainly be facing a losing battle.
Bale has made only two substitute appearances in the top flight this season but Spurs still regard the defender as being a player with great potential, so he would not be available at a cut-price deal.
Forest are also thought to be trailing a central midfielder and a central defender.
Despite the good form of Kelvin Wilson, Luke Chambers and Wes Morgan in defence and the impact of summer signings Paul McKenna and Raddy Majewski – as well as a fit again Guy Moussi – in midfield, Davies wants to ensure Forest have cover for injuries and suspensions.
"I know in my own mind who I want and how many we want," said Davies. "Ideally we want a 24-man squad. We are looking at three or four new players.
"Last January we scraped through by the skin of our teeth (in avoiding relegation) and the summer was very important, when we had great support from the board, but we still missed out on one or two key signings.
"This January is no different. It is very important we are successful, because we will pick up injuries, we will pick up suspensions.
"We have used 18 players as a club this season, which tells you about the squad size we have had here.
"It is remarkable to have achieved what we have achieved using only 18 players.
"We have to add to the quality of the squad we have got in the window."
Gareth Bale
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