Saints legend Matt Le Tissier has urged Gareth Bale to follow his example and turn down a lucrative move to White Hart Lane.

The Wales and Saints full-back has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, but Spurs appear to have won the race to sign him after Bale passed a medical last night.

But Le Tissier, in Hong Kong playing for a Southampton veterans team at the Philips Lighting International Soccer 7's this week, believes Bale should remain at with George Burley's Coca-Cola Championship outfit.

Le Tissier, who spent his entire career with Saints between 1986 and 2002, actually signed a contract to move to White Hart Lane in 1991, but opted to remain on the South coast.

"I would certainly like him to stay for at least one more season. As a young boy it's important he has a good grounding in the game before he actually moves on," said Le Tissier.

"When you go to a big club, it's proven with Theo Walcott, I think Theo moved a bit early and he has gone backwards a little since he's been at Arsenal and I hope Gareth doesn't do the same.

"Maybe another season in the Southampton side would do him a world of good before moving on.

"I've seen him play quite a bit now. I've been very impressed and going forward he's one of the best left-backs I've seen.

"He will get better defensively when he gets older.

"H will be a top-class player - he is destined for big things."