Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder tells Gareth Bale to turn down Tottenham move

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has jokingly told Gareth Bale to stay in Madrid because he doesn't want to face the Wales star in the Premier League.

Bale could be on his way back to Tottenham Hotspur with the London club in negotiations with Real Madrid over a sensational return.

And Wilder clearly appreciates the winger's qualities, believing even at 31 he has the ability to terrorise opposition defenders.

He said: 'I said it when we came into the Premier League and there was talk about Eden Hazard going to Real Madrid. I said I'd give him a taxi to the airport!

'Hopefully Gareth stays in Madrid, it's a lovely place and there are some lovely golf courses... don't make it any harder for us!

'I'm not surprised he wants to come and play in the Premier League. We've had some great experiences and a lot of Spurs fans will want it to happen.

'I can't imagine there are many Sheffield United fans hoping that happens, though, because it just gives us another challenge.'

The Blades don't face Tottenham until January 16, at Bramall Lane, with the return fixture scheduled for May 1.

By that time, Bale could be back in the groove as a Tottenham player with the north London club in pole position ahead of Manchester United to bring him back to England.

Bale has fallen out of favour at Real and the Spanish club are even willing to pay half of his £500,000-a-week wages to facilitate his Bernabeu exit.

Even if Tottenham only have to pay Bale £250,000-a-week, he would still be the club's highest earner.

Despite helping Real win four Champions League titles during his seven years with the club, Bale has been criticised heavily by fans and the Spanish media in recent years.

His love of golf and time he spends on the courses of Madrid has been one source of criticism with his Real team-mates nicknaming him 'The Golfer.'

Fans weren't impressed when Bale posed with a Welsh flag with the words 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order' after they secured qualification for Euro 2020 last November.