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No conversation has dominated Tottenham Hotspur in recent months quite like the one concerning Christian Eriksen's future, and now Dimitar Berbatov has weighed in with his views on the saga.

What's the word?

Rumours linking the Denmark international with a switch to Real Madrid have rumbled on for longer than most would care to remember.

With no word from club or player on what Eriksen plans to do this summer, speculation continues to run rife.

And Berbatov has added to that speculation this week by delivering his verdict on the links to Los Blancos, citing Gareth Bale's difficult time in the capital as a reason to avoid the mooted switch, per Daily Star.

"Eriksen needs to ask himself if he would be happy there. Look at Gareth Bale. He left Spurs for Real Madrid and has won everything.

"But he still gets criticised, even though he scored so many unbelievable goals there, in the Champions League final even!

"He should be a Real Madrid hero. But still, people don’t love him so much."

Berbatov later went on to add: "You don’t want a player who doesn’t want to be in the team, because it’s not good for anyone. I think Spurs is the right place for him. I want him to stay.

"But if his personal view of how he wants his career to go is different, then he will choose to leave. You follow your own path."

Eriksen isn't suited to Madrid

Eriksen is well within his rights to explore the possibility of a new challenge after years of top service to Tottenham, but Bale's struggle to command popularity in Spain hints that he could struggle to adapt to the expectations and demands of the club.

The Wales international, a player who is famed for his stunning moments of brilliance, has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth.

His endeavours to win over the Madrid faithful have been made in vain; apparently growing a ponytail and sticking some blonde streaks in doesn't quite cut it.

Tottenham's creative hub is far from the galactico material Bale is and, if we accept the Southampton academy graduate has struggled since leaving north London, there is no doubt Eriksen could follow a similar path.

Eriksen's form this season has been plagued by inconsistency, potentially due to the uncertainty surrounding his future, but he is perfectly suited to the club and should stay if Madrid are the only suitor in waiting.

Berbatov is spot on: "Spurs is the right place for him."