Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend has claimed that his ex-teammate Gareth Bale wants to return to the club from Real Madrid.

Bale, who has won two La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, has fallen out of favour with current Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and recently requested to not be included in Madrid's Champions League squad that travelled to face Manchester City as he did not expect to play at the Etihad Stadium.

A return to Spurs for the Welshman has been suggested previously, however the 31-year-old's reported salary of around £600,000 a week seems to make any deal a non-starter, although Townsend feels that North London is where Bale wants to be.

"I think if anything the Bale situation, he'd want to go back to Spurs. The memories of Spurs. His happiness," Townsend told talkSPORT.

"He was the main man. He was loved. He was at the top of his game. So, if anything I think it would work the other way.

"He would be like 'I wish I was at Spurs now and had the freedom to do whatever I want. To express myself and not worry about where I am now where I get scrutinised for playing golf.'"

Bale has only featured 20 times for Madrid in all competitions this campaign, scoring just three goals and providing two assists.