Former Manchester United star Mark Hughes has urged Gareth Bale to reject a possible world record summer move to Old Trafford in a bid to fight for his future at Real Madrid.

The Welshman is currently the most expensive footballer on the planet after costing the La Liga giants a whopping £86m back in 2013, but he has been linked with a switch to the Red Devils worth, potentially, north of the £100m mark.

United are thought to have made him a target heading into the next transfer window, with the scrutiny his performances for the reigning European champions have come under from sections of their support having buoyed them.

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But Hughes – who now manages Stoke – believes that his compatriot has to stand by his decision to relocate to Madrid and continue the good work of his debut season – in which he netted a vital goal in the Champions League final:

"Gareth has done everything right up to now and is having a huge impact over there. If he can he should stay as long as possible,” he told BBC Sport Wales.

“When you get the chance to go to a club such as Barcelona or Real Madrid you must go with the intention of trying to stay there as long as you can until they actually kick you out of the door.

“It’s such an opportunity. From my own personal experience I made the mistake of thinking I’d just go for a couple of years then come back home and continue my career, which is totally the wrong attitude.

“It was difficult and at times I was out there on my own. If you have good support, which by all accounts Gareth has over there, I’d say stay as long as you can because one day you’ll look back and realise what a great experience it was.

“It shapes you as a person and an individual. The effect it should have on you in later years should not be underestimated."

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