Tottenham wing dazzler Gareth Bale is being tipped to be the Premier League's next global superstar. Bale could stand to make as much as £20million in endorsements and image rights over the next five years.
That is the view of renowned publicist Max Clifford - who also gave Tottenham fans a boost by backing manager Harry Redknapp as the ideal mentor to help the Welsh youngster fulfil his earning potential.
"It's the magic formula," Clifford said as Bale's stock rose once more following a second stellar Champions League performance against Inter Milan.
"He's young, he's British, he's a nice-looking lad, he's got a lovely attitude.
"With Harry Redknapp keeping a very careful eye on him, he could make £10million, £20million, something like that, over the next five years from image rights, endorsements, things like that."
Bale scored a hat-trick as 10-man Spurs threatened an astonishing comeback from 4-0 down at the San Siro two weeks ago, eventually losing 4-3.
And he in was equally irresistible mood in Tuesday night's famous 3-1 home win, terrorising Inter's Brazil full-back Maicon and wonderfully setting up goals for Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
"He's already shown a lot this season but in the two games against (Inter), they have supposedly the best right-back in the world and he made him look second-rate," Clifford continued.
"Three goals, and then setting up two goals on Tuesday night with priceless runs, he's obviously an outstanding talent.
"But what a breath of fresh air, because he comes across as a very modest, down-to-earth lad - and you only have to look at Wayne Rooney to see the opposite.
"So the fact that he's done it at this time comes across as a breath of fresh air for the English game, because all we've been aware of in recent times is money and greed."
The financial side of the game has indeed been in the headlines in recent weeks - not least when England striker Rooney insisted he was determined to leave Manchester United, citing a "lack of ambition" on the part of the club, only to then sign a five-year contract estimated to be worth £40million.
Clifford was quick to caution Bale against following that path, and said: "I would say get more money outside of the game.
"Tottenham are a big club, they're emerging, and he's got one of the best managers in football looking after him and that is so important.
"Under Harry Redknapp he could emerge as one of the superstars of the game. Harry's a sensible bloke with a good brain, he knows the wider implications of the game and the media.
"He should stay there - of course negotiate, you get what you're worth and a player's (career) can be very short - but I think he's in a very good place at a very good time and the best thing for him to do would be to concentrate on the advertising, the promotions, the endorsements.
"My advice would be to stay close to Harry, listen to what he tells him and keep his feet on the ground. Ability and talent is great and is much appreciated but humility and modesty is something that the British public love."
Clifford sounded one note of caution, though, saying: "Is he married? He's got to be very careful, he'll now be the target for aspiring young WAGs because he's moved into that superstar league. I'd tell him to make sure 'Uncle Harry' meets with them and tells him what he thinks."
