Real Madrid star Gareth Bale: Tottenham's Dele Alli can play wherever he wants

Gareth Bale feels Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli is good enough "to play anywhere he wants" if he were to choose to leave White Hart Lane.

Alli's irresistible rise as one of English football's brightest talents has continued this season, typified by another superb goal against Watford on Saturday (8 April).

The 21-year-old is his side's second top scorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions, just five off teammate Harry Kane.

His rise is similar to that of Bale, who led Tottenham into the Champions League in 2011 before joining Real Madrid for a then world-record fee two years later. Alli has inevitably been linked with taking the same path from north London to Madrid, with Welsh superstar Bale believing he will soon have his pick of clubs to choose from.

"In terms of his ability he could play wherever he wants," Bale told Metro. "He has achieved so much in such a short period of time that he must have great confidence in his ability to affect games at a high level."

Bale remains the most high-profile name from a small fraternity of British players to have left the Premier League to pursue their dreams abroad. But the 27-year-old is eager for more to make the leap.

"I've loved being a part of a different culture and learning new things. You've just got to be open-minded and be prepared to learn a language and experience the unfamiliar. But I also understand why some players are reluctant to move. At the end of the day, footballers are people and like a lot of people they want to stay close to their family and friends."

Former MK Dons starlet Alli remains linked with a move away from White Hart Lane, with Sky Sports claiming Real have been monitoring the England international since last season.

The move to Zinedine Zidane's side would see him follow in the footsteps of former Spurs stars Luka Modric and Bale and making a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, with one-time Los Blancos star Michel Salgado eager for his old club to pursue the player.

Valued at around the £50m mark by Pochettino, Alli has also been linked with Barcelona.