Dimitar Berbatov insists Gareth Bale still has quality to shine for Tottenham who will bring out best in Real Madrid ace
GARETH BALE still has the quality to shine for Tottenham – and the club will help get the very best out of him, believes Dimitar Berbatov.
Spurs are in talks to bring the Real Madrid winger, 31, back to White Hart Lane on a season-long loan.
And Bale’s former team-mate Berbatov thinks the move makes sense for all parties.
He told Betfair: “It’s great news for everyone involved. Gareth loves Spurs, it’s where he first showed the world what he can do.
“Whether it’s a loan move or they buy him outright, once he’s back playing that’s all that matters.
“Quality never disappears. At 31, he still has the ability to play a crucial role at Spurs.
“Good players know how to update their game as they age, even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have changed how they play.
“For me Bale was up there with Ronaldo and Messi. He had that quality and made that impact in games.
“I just want to flick on the TV and see Gareth Bale playing football again! As fans, we want to see players like that on the pitch.
“Spurs need to show Bale the love to get the most out of him. Bale will have great players around him at Spurs who will help bring out the best in him.
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“I’m sure Bale has been watching the documentary about Spurs, All or Nothing, so he’ll know how the club works now. He will be aware of the new stadium, the amazing training ground.
“This is a step back in the right direction for an amazing player. It’s hard to say that this alone will make Spurs title challengers, but it is a sign to the world that they can do serious business.
“The players in the squad will be encouraged, and so will potential signings.”
Tottenham would pay around £20m to take their former star back on loan.
Bale’s £650,000-a-week wage bill is thought to be a major negotiating topic in the loan deal.
Tottenham, who are also in talks to sign Real left-back Sergio Reguilon, want Real Madrid to continue to pay a large chunk.
But Spurs fans are unlikely to see Bale back in their shirt for a month – even if he completes a stunning return to the club in the next 48 hours.
The earliest the brilliant winger is likely to be free to make his second debut for the North London side would be October 17 – a clash with bitter rivals West Ham – as a result of Covid-19 quarantine rules and another international break.
Berbatov, who spent one season with Bale at White Hart Lane before leaving for Manchester United, reckons Spurs will have one of the best attacks around should a deal get done.
He added: “I don’t know too much about Jose Mourinho or how he will get the best out of Bale, but I have faith that they will work well together.
“Bale will have spoken to Mourinho before this deal is done and it will be part of the reason he wants to return.
“Bale, Kane, Son, Dele Alli – managers would kill for this frontline. How Mourinho sets the team out is a different question.
“On paper, they now have the strongest front line in the league along with Liverpool. But Spurs’ fab four have never played together so we will have to see how they gel.
“Bale is probably already texting Harry Kane and other Spurs players, chatting and looking forward to linking up.
“It’s so important to have people who have won trophies in your dressing room, whether they be players or managers.
“So can Mourinho and Bale instil that winning mentality at Spurs? Or will they be dragged down by the club? It’s going to be fascinating to find out.”