Real Madrid defender Marcelo has claimed that Gareth Bale would be "more than welcome" if he joins the club.

The Tottenham Hotspur winger is reported to be be on the verge of signing for the Spaniards in a deal worth around £100m.

"Bale is a great player. I have played against him. I don't know him really well, though," AS quotes Marcelo as saying. "He's more than welcome here if he ends up joining Madrid."

Bale is expected to miss Tottenham's friendly with Monaco on Saturday as his future is decided.