Darren Bent urges Newcastle United to sign Real Madrid's Gareth Bale this summer

Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent believes Newcastle United should sign Gareth Bale this summer. The Real Madrid superstar rolled back the years on Thursday night by bagging a spectacular brace against Austria to book Wales a World Cup playoff place.

The Dragons will face either Scotland or Ukraine at the Millenium Stadium for a spot at the finals in Qatar, with Wales not qualifying for the competition since 1958. Bale is his nation’s all-time leading scorer with 38 goals and was a key part of the side that reached the semi-final at Euro 2016.

However, his form for La Liga giants Real Madrid has nosedived in recent seasons. The 32-year-old also has a poor relationship with Los Blancos supporters - despite winning four Champions League trophies at the club.

Bale will be seeking pastures new when his contract expires in June and there has even been faint talk of him retiring at club level and only playing for Wales. But Bent - who played with the Galactico forward for two years at Spurs - thinks Newcastle should make a move.

“He is incredible, Gareth Bale, we have seen it time and time again,” he told talkSPORT.

“That’s a superstar signing they are looking for. I think they (Newcastle fans) would be happy with it.”