John Hartson: 'Gareth Bale can cope at Real Madrid'

Former Wales international John Hartson has no doubts that Gareth Bale could cope with the pressure should he join Real Madrid this summer.

The Tottenham Hotspur winger has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu throughout the current transfer window, and Madrid are reported to have submitted a world record £85m bid for the player.

Hartson, who has coached Bale at an international level, is certain that the player could cut it in the Spanish capital.

"It wouldn't be an issue for Gareth," Hartson told Sky Sports News. "He's very level headed, his feet are firmly on the ground.

"I get to see him close up, obviously, working with him with the Welsh national team. He comes along to the squad and he works like all the other players, he gets his head down. He's got a great family. He doesn't come with a big entourage.

"He's got his agent, he's got his advisers and he's a really down-to-earth, level-headed lad and I think whatever Gareth does I'm sure he would have thought long and hard about it."

Bale signed a new four-year contract at White Hart Lane in June 2012.