Former Spurs boss Martin Jol has spoken about the future of troubled Spurs youngster Gareth Bale and conceded he'd love to have him at Ajax.

The Dutch manager brought the former Southampton full-back to North London for a fee of £10million in 2007 - surprisingly beating off competition from Manchester United to land the Welsh international.

After initially impressing at The Lane, Bale's career has been beset by injuries, a crisis in confidence and a lack of form, and he has found himself out of favour in recent times. This has prompted speculation that the 20-year-old Cardiff born defender was set for a move.

In his two years with The Lillywhites he has only made 24 league appearances and rumours continue that he doesn't see eye to eye with boss Harry Redknapp.

But according to the former Hamburg supremo, Spurs would be mad to get rid of the starlet, but if they did, he'd be first in line to snap him up.

“Put it like this, I would love to have him,” Jol told Wales on Sunday.

The former fan favourite at The Lane warned that Spurs need to play the man with 20-caps to his name if he is to improve however.

“Maybe a lot was expected of him at such a young age but it depends want you want from him.

“Attacking-wise he is a big talent but that isn’t the only thing.

He has a few things he has to improve on, as all youngsters do, but they only come from experience.”