Gareth Bale should return to the Premier League according to former Spurs and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
The Welsh midfielder has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid for some time but it now appears likely that this could his final season in Spain.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have been suggested as potential destinations for the player and van der Vaart agrees that a move back to England would be in the player's best interests.
Talking to Cadena Ser radio, van der Vaart explained: "I think Bale wants to stay at Real Madrid and play more. But I believe that a team like Manchester United or a return to Tottenham would be better for him because people in England are different to those in Spain."
Bale was in the spotlight again last weekend as he appeared to snub teammate Lucas Vazquez after scoring for Madrid in the win over Levante.
"I'm a little bit surprised," Van der Vaart said when asked about Bale's tense situation at the club. "I don't think it's fair because he is a very good player."
Van der Vaart was a popular player during two years with Spurs and can empathize with Bale's situation.
"Real Madrid paid a lot of money for him (Bale), €100m, but he is not (Lionel) Messi or Cristiano. He is good but also at Tottenham he had good and bad games.
"Cristiano and Messi almost always play well. He (Bale) is lacking consistency. But when Real Madrid pay a lot of money for you and you play, you always have to play well and I think that is his problem. Of course, the pressure of playing at Real Madrid is different to that of playing at Tottenham and that is also an issue for him."
