Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale revealed that he is open to returning to the Tottenham Hotspur at some point of his career despite leaving the club to seek greener pasture in Spain.
Bale, who is considered as the most expensive football player after being acquired by Real Madrid for a world-record fee of £85.3 million, that he is not ruling out a return to Tottenham because of their fans.
"The fans have been unbelievable with me," Bale said of Hotspur fans in an interview with BT Sport. "They've supported me through the bad times and believed in me and I'll never forget the great European nights at White Hart Lane. They were amazing."
The 25-year-old star also insisted that Tottenham has a special place in his heart, while also expressing hope the Hotspur fans hold no grudge against him.
Bale said that he did not want to leave Tottenham, but the lucrative offer from Real Madrid and the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world was an opportunity that is too good to pass up.
"Tottenham will always have a place in my heart," Bale said. "I hope the fans still love me even though I've moved on. I hope they understand that obviously Real Madrid is a massive, massive club and that they respect my decision. From the moment Real Madrid put the offer in it was obviously difficult."
Bale, who scored 24 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season, also expressed gratitude to his former coach Harry Redknapp. The Wales international admitted that he had several run-ins with Redknapp, but he admitted that the way he was pushed by the veteran manager to work hard made him a better player.
"When Harry came in he gave it to me straight and made me realize I needed to work really hard to fulfil my potential and get better," Bale said of Redknapp. "So from there I just kept working harder and harder and I'm still doing that now. With hard work and dedication you can get a long way in the game."
Bale is off to a good start for Real Madrid this season, netting four goals and tallying one assist in their first 10 matches despite being surrounded by Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and new signing James Rodriguez.
