Mauricio Pochettino says he would happily keep open a spot in his Tottenham squad for Gareth Bale.

The Welsh winger is struggling at Real Madrid which has prompted plenty of speculation about his future in Spain.

Bale has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United among others but one club that would love to have him is Tottenham who helped the 25-year old rise to prominence prior to his £85million move the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2013.

"If he is not comfortable in Madrid we will keep his place open! It is not easy when you arrive at a big club like Madrid," said Pochettino.

But the Argentine was then more serious about Bale's Madrid plight, suggesting the Southampton youth academy product certainly has what it takes to make it with the current European champions.

"He has the quality to be a success at Madrid and it takes time," he added.

"I remember when (Zinedine) Zidane arrived at Madrid and he got criticised. It takes time to adapt and the culture is very different in Spain when English players arrive.

"Players go to sleep in the day and it is much easier when you move from Spain to England. It is better in England to develop your job but in Spain it is difficult to adapt. He needs time."