Ian Rush is a legend for both Liverpool FC and Wales. The moustachioed hitman managed 346 goals on Merseyside and 28 in Welsh colours, making him the all-time top scorer for both club and country.
Gareth Bale sits just two goals behind him on the Dragons' goalscoring charts - which he will surely break in the very near future - and, if recent comments are to be believed, Rush would like the Real Madrid man to have a crack at his club record at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool as well even if Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham might have first dibs.
Asked about Bale's future, Rush was unequivocal. "Maybe Tottenham have first offer [to bring Bale back to the Premier League], Man United has been talked about, maybe because the goalkeeper [David de Gea] could go the other way?" he said.
"I'd love to see him at Liverpool, though. A world-class player. We don't know what will happen, but it would be great to see him back here [in the Premier League] and at Liverpool."
"Gareth Bale is a world-class player - every club in the world would want him," added the former Liverpool and Juventus star. "From a Welsh point of view, I'd like him to stay, to get more European experience. That will benefit Wales. Any English club would want Gareth Bale."
Credit: PA Images
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The Wales international has been held back of late by injuries and the form of other Real Madrid players. He missed the crucial qualifier against the Republic of Ireland that saw Wales fail to make the World Cup playoffs and has not played for his club since the end of September.
He limped out of a Champions' League game away at Borussia Dortmund - after scoring a wondergoal - and is yet to return. Real have a derby with Atletico Madrid after the international break and it is thought that Bale is targeting that as a return date.
The Wales captain missed a large chunk of last season with injury and players of the calibre of Marco Asensio and Isco emerged in his absence, blocking his path back to the first team. Bale had previously formed part of the deadly BBC frontline with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is unclear whether, on form, he would make Real's best XI.
Should he choose to move back to the Premier League, the biggest clubs in the league would be circling. Jose Mourinho's Manchester United have a long-held interest in Bale, while his former club, Tottenham, have gone from strength to strength since he left in 2013.
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Spurs, SPORT, Manchester United, tottenham, Wales, Real Madrid