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Hoddle: Young family may stop Bale joining Real

Gareth Bale is believed to be one of Real Madrid's top transfer priorities © Getty Images

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Former Tottenham player Glenn Hoddle believes Gareth Bale will turn down the opportunity to move to Real Madrid in order to stay with his young family in England.

Hoddle, the one-time England manager, believes Bale should not yet be considering a move abroad - despite the riches on offer from the likes of Madrid. Instead, Hoddle believes the Wales international will be best served by remaining in the Premier League.

Hoddle believes the birth of Bale's child at the end of 2012 gives him a compelling reason to stay at Spurs.

"Personally I don't think Gareth Bale wants to leave yet, unless it was to one of the Manchester clubs. If he goes abroad he'll find it slightly difficult," Hoddle told TalkSport. "He needs to be settled off the pitch and you get the feeling that he's had a new baby and I'm not sure if he's ready for that [a move abroad].

"When you're 27 or 28 years old you might be ready and mature enough to settle. You have to be settled off the pitch before you get your form on it. It's a really big decision for him."

Madrid president Florentino Perez has made no secret of his admiration of Bale in recent months, making him one of the cornerstones of his bid for re-election at the club. An £85 million bid from the Spanish side has been widely tipped, and Hoddle admits Spurs might find it hard to turn down such a windfall.

"I would presume that if Tottenham get an offer like that then no-one would blame them for taking it," he added. "I don't think anyone could stay at any club for that amount of money.

"Tottenham have got a stadium to build as well and the money would come in handy for that, if that's the sum of money they are talking about."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.