Ex-Spurs Defender Explains Why Gareth Bale Will Refuse Real Madrid

Ex-Tottenham defender Paul Miller believes Gareth Bale will remain at White Hart Lane for at least one more season.

The 23-year-old Welsh international's phenomenal form (16 Premier League goals and nine strikes in his last seven matches for the club) has been very strongly linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid. In addition, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the winger.

However, Miller, who played over 200 games for Spurs between 1977 and 1987, thinks Bale is aware of the dangers of moving clubs so soon in his career. The 53-year-old centre-back, who also had spells with Charlton and Swansea City during his playing days, said Bale's family situation ruled out any major transfer to a foreign culture.

"Gareth Bale is not going anywhere," he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, "He is 23 years old, his girlfriend just had a baby four months ago, he's settled, he's a young man just starting to play well, and he's got three-and-a-half years on his contract."

"He is not ready to go abroad yet. He has another couple of years at Tottenham to cement his reputation. He's getting everything he wants at Spurs. He is well paid and he has got a chance at winning things," Miller reasoned.

He also questioned Madrid's motives in signing Bale, pointing out that as long as Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo was at the Santiago Bernabeu, it would be impossible for Bale to become the attacking focus of a side... something he undisputedly is with Andre Villas-Boas' team.

"If he went to a club like Real Madrid, would he play every week? They sign big stars often and don't play them. I'm not sure he would work with Ronaldo too well, either. You can have one player like Ronaldo but not two. I don't think he is going anywhere," Miller concluded.

Miller joins a chorus of voices calling on Bale to refuse Madrid's advances and remain in north London, for at least one more season. The list of voices includes Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas and Belgian international defender Jan Vertonghen.