Transfer talk: Hristo Stoichkov questions £86m fee Real Madrid are prepared to pay for Gareth Bale

The Tottenham winger is expected to seal his move to the Bernabeu this week

As Gareth Bale nears his move to Real Madrid, outspoken former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has become the latest person to voice his opinion on the transfer.

With the Tottenham winger expected to complete a deal this week that will make him the new world's most expensive player, Stoichkov has questioned the fee that Real are about to fork out.

"If Bale is worth €100m, I would have been priceless," he said.

Before warning: "No Englishman [sic] who came to Spanish football has ever succeeded."

That Stoichkov refers to the Wales international as English may hint that he is not the most knowledgeable about last season's double Player of the Year winner. And the statement does somewhat overlook the varying successes of Steve McMananaman, David Beckham and Gary Lineker during their spells in Spain.

However, that didn't stop him expressing his view on Bale skipping training sessions at Spurs this week.

"Bale has shown a lack of respect toward his Tottenham team-mates by not showing up for training," he said.