Florentino Perez: Bale was born to play for Real Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has further increased speculation linking Tottenham star Gareth Bale with a move to the Spanish giants, insisting he "was born to play" for the club.

The 23-year-old scored 21 Premier League goals during a stellar personal season that saw Spurs narrowly miss out on Champions League qualification, and he is expected to sign a new contract worth £130,000 at White Hart Lane this summer.

However, Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, admitted on Wednesday that the attacker would consider any offer from the nine times European champions.

"Gareth Bale was born to play in Real Madrid," Perez told Cadena Cope.

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, has hailed Bale as "one of the best players in the world" and backed him to be a success if he joins the club.

"He would be a good signing for the club," he told Marca. Bale is one of the best players in the world and at Real Madrid we always have the best. I am convinced that if the club want him he would be a great signing."
Last week, Real Madrid director of football Zinedine Zidane ranked the Wales international alongside La Liga legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I have been watching Tottenham for the very reason that Bale has been playing," he said.

"Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, who are the top players, I must admit that he is the footballer who impressed me most."