Ex-Real Madrid Chief: We Want Spurs' Gareth Bale and Money is no Object

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hinted the Spanish champions are ready to spend big on signing Gareth Bale. The 23-year-old Welsh international has been strongly linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, with Spanish newspaper Marca reporting that a £33m opening bid may have been lodged in December.

Since then, there have been a number of reports linking Tottenham's star winger with a move to the Spanish capital, including one that suggests Madrid president Florentino Perez is looking to the signing of the attacker as a bargaining chip with voters in the forthcoming presidential elections.

And now, ex-president Calderon, who controlled the footballing world's White House between July 2006 and January 2009, has been quoted as saying transfer funds would not be a problem if the club truly wanted to sign Bale.

"It's true we have spent a lot of money in the last three or four years but I think we are in a position to pay the money they are going to ask for. There is always a limit but Real Madrid is in a very healthy situation, economically speaking, so it would be in the position to sign him," the 51-year-old businessman told talkSPORT.

Calderon, who oversaw the signing of former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, has also been credited with starting the process of signing the most prominent of Madrid's imports from Old Trafford - Cristiano Ronaldo. The deal was eventually completed by Perez, as the crowning glory of his transfer policy.

Ronaldo's move cost Madrid £80 and that of Brazilian midfielder Kaka, from Serie A side AC Milan, approximately £56m. It is believed the Spaniards will have to find a similar amount to prise Bale away from White Hart Lane, with the Mirror believing Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will demand £60m for his star player.

Calderon also said hinted that the present Madrid hierarchy greatly admired Bale and that, coupled with the available funds, should ensure a summer switch.

"I think he is a fantastic player. He is one of those players you would always like to have in your team. I'm sure it will be a high amount of money because he is a fantastic player. A lot of clubs would like to have him," he concluded.

Bale has also been linked with a £50m switch to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, who will be managed by ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola next season.

Madrid will be in England next midweek, to face United at Old Trafford in the second leg of the two clubs' Champions League knock-out tie. Sir Alex Ferguson's men held Jose Mourinho's side to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, with Ronaldo cancelling Danny Welbeck's opener.