Bale has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid after a stunning 2012-13 Premier League season, in which he scored 21 goals in 33 appearances.

McManaman left Liverpool at the age of 27 to sign for Real, and spent four years in the Spanish capital, helping the club to two UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga successes.

Whether the time is right for a move, McManaman was unsure, but he advised the Welshman to play in Spain at some point of his career, with the lure of Champions League football potentially a crucial factor in any potential switch.

"If he ever has the opportunity to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, I would never say 'no' to them," McManaman wrote in his column in The Mirror.

"I think sooner or later, whether it's this year or next year, he needs to be playing against the best people in the world.

"He needs to be testing himself against the best players in the world because he is arguably one of the best players in the world on current form.

"Sooner rather than later he'll want to be playing in the Champions League and if Tottenham can't deliver that this year I think they're going to struggle to hold on to him.

"But it all depends on whether he's comfortable in London, whether he wants to play abroad and whether he fancies the challenge abroad.

"He's 23 at the moment, he's still very young and he's a new father – he has got time on his side. But it all depends on what he wants to do, doesn't it?"

McManaman also offered his thoughts on the future of Real Madrid after Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho took charge for the last time on Saturday, overseeing a 4-2 win against Osasuna.

He believes that current PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti, who led the Parisian giants to the Ligue 1 title last season, would be a perfect replacement for the enigmatic Mourinho.

"I think Ancelotti will certainly bring a calmer attitude around the ground and the training ground and certainly with the press," he said.

"He's very well respected, very well liked, and his CV is second to none.

"I think the fact that Real Madrid have tried to get his services on board early on speaks volumes about what kind of person they're trying to bring in to the club."