Hotspur's Gareth Bale would take a
move to Real Madrid in his stride, if it
were to happen.
Wales international Bale, 24, has
indicated he wants to speak to the
Spanish giants.
And national assistant manager Hartson
told BBC Wales the star winger has the
temperament to handle the pressure.
"It wouldn't be an issue for Gareth. He's
very level headed, his feet are firmly on
the ground," he said.
"I get to see him close up, obviously,
working with him with the Welsh
national team.
"He comes along to the squad and he
works like all the other players, he gets
his head down.
"If he was to go - I'm not saying that
he's going to go - I'm sure he will deal
with everything.
"He's got a great family. He doesn't
come with a big entourage.
"He's got his agent, he's got his advisers
and he's a really down-to-earth, level-
headed lad and I think whatever Gareth
does I'm sure he would have thought
long and hard about it."
Cardiff-born Bale joined Tottenham from
Southampton in May 2007 and signed a
new four-year contract in June 2012.
He went on to enjoy his most successful
season for the club in 2012-13, scoring
26 goals and being named Premier
League player of the year and young
player of the year.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has insisted
Bale is not for sale and says talks about a
new deal are ongoing.
Spanish daily newspaper Marca claims
Tottenham are demanding a fee of 145m
euros (£125m), and former Spurs
manager David Pleat told BBC Sport he
felt Bale was "too young to move" and
that it would take £100m to prise Bale
from White Hart Lane.
Real Madrid are yet to submit a formal
offer for Bale but 38-year-old Hartson,
capped 51 times by Wales, says he is not
surprised by the interest, although he
admits he thinks the figures being
quoted are "absurd".
"He's a phenomenal player, very
explosive, very quick, clever and he's got
everything as a footballer that you
require so it doesn't surprise me," said
the former Celtic striker.
"That's where we are in the current
world market - £95m or £100m is
absolutely absurd.
"Cristiano Ronaldo went for £80m three
seasons ago. Luis Suarez, if he was to
leave Liverpool, would probably look for
£50m for starters.
"It's crazy money, but that's where we
are."
George Burley, who gave Bale his first
team debut for former club Southampton
in April 2006, said it was hard to put a
price tag on the 24-year-old.
"At the time we had a lot of good young
players thanks to the youth policy, but
Gareth always showed the biggest
promise. He's always had that exciting
talent, he's level headed and always
wanted to listen," Burley told Sport
Today on BBC World Service.
"Last season was incredible, playing in
different positions and scoring some of
the best goals you'll ever see.
"He wants to keep pushing his career
forward. Who's to say what's he's
worth?"
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