Gareth Bale struggling to learn Spanish nine months after Real Madrid move

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has admitted that he is yet to master the Spanish language nine months after moving to the Bernabeu.

The Wales international became the most expensive footballer in history when he sealed an £85m switch to Real from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

The 24-year-old has now revealed that he enlists the help of teammate Luka Modric and English-born coach Paul Clement to help him understand what is being said.

"If I don't understand ­something I'll go and speak to Paul, or maybe speak to Luka or one of the boys who speaks both languages," Bale told BT Sport's The Clare Balding Show. "Hopefully, in the not too distant future, I'll be able to understand it fully."

Bale is expected to feature in his first ever Champions League final on May 24 when Real take on local rivals Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.

Bale's interview airs on BT Sport 1 at 8pm on Thursday May 15.