Tottenham Hotspur manager, Andre Villas-Boas, says that the comparisons between Gareth Bale and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo have been validated by the Welshman’s second PFA Player of the Season award.

Bale pipped a collection of his fellow Premier League luminaries to the award on Sunday night, and as a result, his manager has given his backing to the suggestion that he and CR7 are cut from the same cloth.

"There are similarities," Villas-Boas said.

"Both are extremely technical, powerful and pacy.

"They grew up as strikers, but became wingers. Gareth is now playing a more advanced role. Ronaldo is also able to play that role up front."

Bale has been linked to Ronaldo’s club, Real Madrid, throughout his stellar season.

Spurs are adamant that the attacking midfielder will not be sold, especially if the London club finishes the campaign in a top-four position.

However, the links to Madrid linger, leaving the Spurs community petrified that their best player could be gone soon.

Spurs legend Ricky Villa, who played for the club from 1978 to 1983, says they must do whatever they need to in order to keep hold of Bale.

He accepts that a move for the Welshman will probably happen in the future, but that for now, it would suit all parties for the player to stay where he is.

"He really is a great player, a top player,'' Villa told PA Sport.

"He is one of these players who can do different things. I expect that he will stay at the club - they have a chance to qualify for Europe and this is a good point for him. I expect him to play for the club for two or three more years.

"Everyone wants to play for these big, big clubs, but he has a lot of things to do for Tottenham. Maybe in the next few years he will need to move, but at the moment I believe he is expecting to win something important with this club. This is very important for him, I think."

Should Bale move to Madrid if Real are truly in for him?