Former Tottenham and Saints manager Harry Redknapp believes Gareth Bale would flourish at Real Madrid as talks over a potential transfer continue.

The 24-year-old former Saint enjoyed a remarkable season with the north Londoners in 2012/13, bringing him to the attention of the Spanish giants.

Madrid are reportedly willing to better the world record fee of £80million they shelled out on Cristiano Ronaldo four years ago, with Bale thought to be keen on a switch to the Bernabeu. If they do, Saints could collect a £2m payout for their role in developing him.

There are clearly hurdles to overcome but, should Bale make the move to Los Blancos, Redknapp believes the winger would shine in the Spanish capital.

“He is behind Messi and Ronaldo in terms of being the best player in the world,” said Redknapp, who coached Bale for four years.

“He is at a good club but the opportunity to play for Real Madrid does not come along too often. He has probably dreamt about that since he was a little boy.

“It seems they have offered fantastic money so it could happen, but I don’t know. I wouldn’t be sure.

“If he goes there, he will be a great success there. I am sure of that.

Redknapp, now manager of SkyBet Championship promotion hopefuls QPR, helped transform Bale into the player he is today.

Originally a left-back with Southampton, Redknapp pushed him further forward and was at the helm when he won the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year award for the first time in 2011, a feat he repeated last season.

“He has been playing like that for three or four years,” he said. “I think it was three years ago that he was Player of the Year the first time.

“He has been consistent over a period of about four seasons so he has proved he can do it regularly, every year. “He has got everything, he can do the whole lot – he can dribble, he can shoot with both feet, can head it, run all day, run at speed. There is nothing he can’t do. He is an amazing player.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes if Real Madrid were to pay £105million for Bale a “joke” of Financial Fair Play.

Wenger feels such figures would go completely against the new UEFA-driven regulations aimed at making sure all clubs balance the books.