Gareth Bale is "too young" to move abroad and would be making a mistake by leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid this summer, according to David Pleat. Bale, 24, has indicated he wants to speak to the Spanish giants.

 But former Tottenham manager Pleat feels it would take a fee of £100m to even tempt them to sell Bale, and told BBC Sport: "I think he's a little bit young to go abroad.
"I doubt he'd find it easy. Many have failed when they have moved overseas."

Pleat added: "One or two have succeeded, but not many. Most have had a difficult time.
"I think he is young to go, but he might feel that with his partner and baby, it will be a new start for him.

"But I think it might be better if he stayed, continued to work and maybe next summer leave if that is his wish."  
Former England striker Michael Owen spent one year at Real Madrid after joining them from Liverpool in 2004, before returning to England with Newcastle.

The 33-year-old believes moving overseas is difficult for a player, telling BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek on Sunday: "Any player going from over here to Spain, it's a lot different to what you imagine. It's a slow pace of life. You're trying to move into a house and you're in a hotel for five months.

"When I was over there, we tried to do [everything] as fast as we could but I was in a hotel for six months with a young child. It's very difficult; you need to get a lot of things in order off the pitch. I'd be surprised if he went this year."

Bale joined Tottenham from Southampton in May 2007 and signed a new four-year contract in June 2012 .

He went on to enjoy his most successful season for the club in 2012-13, scoring 26 goals.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has stated this summer the Wales international is not for sale and says talks about a new deal are ongoing.

Real Madrid are yet to submit a formal offer for Bale, but Pleat - who managed Tottenham from 1986 until 1987 and had three spells as caretaker-boss - expects his former club to resist an approach from Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"Regardless of whether the player wants to leave, the club are in the driving seat," he said.

"If [a club] have strong and brave leadership, which they have at Tottenham, they have to resist any formal offer that comes in, which Tottenham are determined to do."

Pleat was also director of football at Spurs from 1998 until 2003 under current chairman Daniel Levy and is aware of how the 51-year-old businessman operates.

He believes it would take a huge offer to tempt Levy to part with Bale.

"Tottenham have been very firm," he said.

"If something shattering, like £100m, is put on the table then I think even the resistance of Daniel Levy may have to give in, but I think even supporters would understand it for that money."

Bale in numbers
•    Age: 24
•    Premier League games: 146
•    Goals: 42
•    Yellow cards: 15
•    Red cards: 1
•    Wales caps: 41