Grimaldo fuels Real Madrid links: "An honor" | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso is widely expected to take over as Real Madrid head coach following his departure from Bayer Leverkusen - and reports suggest he could bring Alejandro Grimaldo, among others, with him to the Spanish capital.

Grimaldo added fuel to the speculation during a recent interview on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.

“That makes me really happy, honestly. It’s an honor,” Grimaldo said, adding:

“It makes me happy that a team like Madrid and that people even think I’m at the level to be part of the biggest clubs in the world.

"That’s what I’m working for, and that’s my ambition. That’s what I want. I’ve never denied that I want to play for the best clubs in the world.

“Leverkusen are a very strong team, but... my dream and goal is to return to Spain.”

A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Grimaldo made it clear that his past would not stand in the way of a potential move to his youth club's biggest rivals.

"Would I like to play for Real Madrid? What I want is to play for the best teams in the world. If the opportunity comes to play for a top team, I’ll try to take it. That’s what I’ve wanted ever since I left for Barcelona at 12."