Mauricio Pochettino refuses to rule out a return to White Hart Lane for Gareth Bale

Mauricio Pochettino has refused to rule out the possibility of Gareth bale returning to Tottenham Hotspur in the future.

The Wales international left Spurs in a then world-record deal in 2013 to join Real Madrid and has gone on to win three Champions League titles and one La Liga title.

However, he has struggled with injuries since last season which has seen his playing time greatly reduced with Isco and more recently Marco Asencio vying for his place in the starting XI. Bale's recent struggles have seen him being linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

A number of reports have suggested that Real are ready to offload the Welsh winger next summer with Manchester United being touted as a potential destination. Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the former Spurs star and indicated last summer that he would welcome Bale at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old has made just 10 appearances across all competitions this season after struggling with a calf injury and it remains to be seen if he is immediately handed a place in the starting XI on his return. United are keen to sign the Welshman, but will be wary of paying the Spanish capital club's valuation which is said to be around £100m ($135m), just under what they paid when they signed him from the north London club.

Pochettino, however, feels Spurs also have a chance of signing Bale, who remains a favourite at the club despite his departure in 2013. The Argentine was not at White Hart Lane during his time, but praised the attacker while stating that "you never know in football" when asked if Bale could return to White Hart Lane in the future.

"I saw him in Madrid when we played there," Pochettino said talksing about Tottenham's clash with Real in the Champions League earlier in the year, as quoted by Goal.

"Always he keeps in contact with the people here that he worked with in the past. But then I don't know because I don't have a close relationship with him or his people.

"Of course he is a fantastic player and you never know in football what can happen," the Argentine coach added.

However, Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett dismissed any speculation with regards to his client's future insisting that he wants to play with the Spanish capital club for the 'rest of his life'.

The Welshman has been at the end of some jeering from the Real faithful, but his agent has urged supporters to support him. Bale was handed a contract extension last November tying him down to the Spanish giants until the summer of 2022.

"He wants to play the rest of his life at Real Madrid. He loves Madrid, the city, life and he loves the club," Barnett told Fichajes.

"Of course it hurts him when the people don't support him and they do with other players who aren't so good. It's crazy, this happens only in Spain and I don't understand it, fans should understand this and know how good he is," he added.