Zinedine Zidane has told Tottenham they should let Gareth Bale move to Real Madrid with reports on Tuesday night again suggesting they are prepared to break the world transfer record to land him. Zidane was speaking in Los Angeles where Real are preparing to face the LA Galaxy on Friday in the first game of their pre-season tour of the United States. The former France captain has this summer taken up the role of sporting director at his old club with his remit including a strong influence on Real’s transfer dealings. Zidane made his own big money move to the club from Juventus in 2001, and he was keen to stress that any chance to join Los Merengues should be grasped with both hands. It is not the first time the 41-year-old has spoken publicly about his admiration for Bale, with both he and Madrid president Florentino Perez patently using the media to force the agenda. Zidane said: “It is not unusual when a player knows that Real Madrid are interested in them that they get excited. There is nothing more prestigious for a player to wear the white of Real Madrid. “If he has expressed a desire to join Madrid then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us. The chance to play for Real Madrid might only come around once in a player’s lifetime – and it is understandable that Gareth doesn’t want to miss out on it. “This is modern football,” added the 1998 Ballon D’or winner. “You have to pay to get the best players in Europe. Last season Gareth was on the same level as Ronaldo and Messi. The best players can have not so great games – but change a game with a moment of brilliance. “Those are the sort of players that win you Champions League’s and League titles. “He is already one of the finest players in Europe and he has everything needed to become the best player in the world. “It is a bit of a cliche – but it is true you become a better player playing with better players.” - Andy West: Perez's Galactico ambition the driving force behind Real Madrid’s Bale pursuit Speculation of Real’s move has grown this week, culminating in unconfirmed reports they had made a €97million (Dh476m) offer for the reigning English player and young player of the year. Spurs had been extremely hopeful that their prized asset would sign a new contract, but Bale is now thought to be keen to speak to the La Liga runners-up about a move. Initial reports suggested Real were keen to use either Angel Di Maria or Fabio Coentrao as a makeweight in the transfer, but Spurs are understood to only be interested in a cash deal, and if Real have offered €97m then it would eclipse the world record €94m they paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. President Perez is said to be confident he can pursuade Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to part with his prized asset without having to reach the €100m-mark. In the past Perez has managed to sign Luis Figo from Barcelona and Ronaldo from Internazionale when the selling clubs were not exactly willing to lose the players. Real Madrid skipper Iker Casillas has played alongside all the modern greats of the Bernabeu and claims Bale can join that illustrious list. The Spanish keeper got a first-hand look at Bale’s abilities when the two teams met in the Champions League quarter-final two years ago and would be more than happy to welcome him to the club. “He is one of the three or four best players in Europe,” raved Casillas. “It is normal that he is being talked about because he plays very good football.” Casillas also claimed to be unconcerned by the world record fee that would be required for Madrid to secure their target, shrugging: “That’s what the market is like – every transfer can be debated for better or worse. We’ve talking about a very influential player.”