Man Utd-linked Gareth Bale tipped to make Premier League return “before too long”

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale has been tipped by Danny Murphy to return to the Premier League in the near future amid reports that the Welshman is a target for Manchester United.

Bale helped Madrid secure their third Champions League trophy in four seasons on Saturday as the La Liga side bested Juventus 4-1 in the forward's hometown of Cardiff.

The 27-year-old missed out on the starting XI however, with Isco playing instead, as Bale has struggled with injuries for most of the campaign, playing in just 19 La Liga contests this season.

Bale's absence from Saturday's starting team has prompted reports that United could make a move for the winger, with Madrid potentially willing to sell to fund a move for other targets.

And Murphy believes it is simply a matter of time before the former Tottenham star comes back to the Premier League, indicating his belief that Bale has proven himself as a top player while in Spain.

Murphy told the Evening Standard: "Self-confidence defines top players. There are guys in League One who have the same technical ability as players at the top of the Premier League, but what separates them is mental strength.

"When their team gets a free-kick 35 yards from goal, the top player says: 'I'll have this.' He knows he can smash it in the top corner, just as he would in training.

"Bale has been at that level for a number of years now. It's a question of maturity. In his final year at Spurs, he was arguably the best player in the Premier League and he's made an impression at Real Madrid, which is far from easy.

"But he's embraced the challenge throughout his four seasons there. It would not surprise me if Bale returns to the Premier League before too long, though.

"It is hard to stay in the Madrid team from the day you sign until the end of your career - unless you produce the numbers Cristiano Ronaldo does."