Gareth Bale hopes to return to White Hart Lane later this month for the first time since his world-record move to Real Madrid.

Bale, who is looking forward to a Champions League Final against city rivals Atletico, is believed to have been invited to attend Ledley King’s testimonial match, which takes place on May 12, the day after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

Bale’s commitments mean he might find it difficult to travel to London but Standard Sport understands the Welshman is keen to be there. There appears little chance he would be able to play – imagine the reaction in Madrid if their £86million signing missed the Champions League Final because of an injury sustained playing in a testimonial match at his former club – but at this stage, Bale’s intention is to go.

As Spurs close their campaign with a home game against Aston Villa on May 11, so Real wrap up theirs with an away fixture at Celta Vigo that night, a 6pm kick-off Spanish time. Two wins for Atletico, who beat Chelsea in last night’s Champions League semi-final, from their next two matches would give them the title, effectively making the final round of matches irrelevant for Real and Barcelona, the only other clubs still in the race for top spot.

Under such circumstances, it is unlikely that Real Madrid would stop Bale from travelling to London for his former team-mate’s farewell. Should Bale be there, it would be interesting to see the supporters’ reaction to the 24-year-old, who left the club last summer.

Top 10 Tottenham goalscorers 10 show all Top 10 Tottenham goalscorers 1/10 Jimmy Greaves - 266 goals in 380 games 2/10 Bobby Smith - 208 goals in 317 games 3/10 Martin Chivers - 174 goals in 367 games 4/10 Cliff Jones - 159 goals in 378 games 5/10 Jermain Defoe - 143 goals in 363 games 6/10 George Hunt - 138 goals in 198 games 7/10 Len Duquemin - 134 goals in 307 games 8/10 Alan Gilzean - 133 goals in 429 games 9/10 Teddy Sheringham - 125 goals in 277 games 10/10 Robbie Keane - 122 goals in 306 games 1/10 Jimmy Greaves - 266 goals in 380 games 2/10 Bobby Smith - 208 goals in 317 games 3/10 Martin Chivers - 174 goals in 367 games 4/10 Cliff Jones - 159 goals in 378 games 5/10 Jermain Defoe - 143 goals in 363 games 6/10 George Hunt - 138 goals in 198 games 7/10 Len Duquemin - 134 goals in 307 games 8/10 Alan Gilzean - 133 goals in 429 games 9/10 Teddy Sheringham - 125 goals in 277 games 10/10 Robbie Keane - 122 goals in 306 games

Initially, fans were angry with Bale, who made plain his desire to leave Spurs during the final weeks of the transfer window. Yet that attitude has softened since, with many Tottenham fans feeling a sense of pride and how impressively Bale has performed during his first season in Spain.

Rafael van der Vaart, who played for Spurs from 2010 until 2012, is another player from the club’s recent past invited by King, but he is thought to be unable to attend, while Tottenham have also invited Bale's Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.