Tottenham have first option to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid

If Madrid accept a bid from any other Premier League club before June 30 2019, the north Londoners would then have 72 hours to match the offer

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has suggested he would hypothetically be interested in re-signing Gareth Bale.

The Welshman left White Hart Lane for Real Madrid in 2013 and has since lifted the Champions League, Copa de Rey, Club World Cup and the Super Cup.

Speaking this week, Pochettino said: "I think if we have the option to sign him - why not? He's a great player and a player that can improve our squad."

The Argentinian was discussing the revelation that Bale has a clause in his contract stipulating that Spurs have the first option to sign the 26-year-old.

If Madrid accept a bid from any other Premier League club before June 30 2019, the north Londoners would then have 72 hours to match the offer, in which case Real would have to sell to the north Londoners.

The clause was revealed in leaked documents this week with the theory that Bale is the most expensive player in the world seemingly being confirmed.

The Spanish giants insist the transfer was completed for £70.38m, more than £3m less than what was paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The leaked document, however, suggests they parted with as much as £77.45m in several instalments.