Brad Friedel admits Tottenham's locker room are "desperate" for Gareth Bale to stay.

Real Madrid appear to have given up the ghost in their bid to prise Bale away from Spurs.

"Gareth Bale is just an unbelievable player," Friedel told talkSPORT. "He's one of the best in the world.

"As far as what's going on in the transfer market none of the players know anything, what I can say though is that all the players want him to stay.

"He's not only a great player, he's a great lad. He's fantastic in the changing room, very down to earth and everyone knows what he can do on the field.

"He is a real athlete, he's a big, strong boy and he is one of the best professionals in the game."