Wendell: I’d walk to Madrid

Wendell admits “I’d walk to Spain to play for Real Madrid” as Los Blancos reportedly open talks with Bayer Leverkusen for the €35m-rated left-back.

According to AS, Madrid have made contact with Wendell after identifying him as the perfect deputy to Marcelo and learning of the player’s desperation to join them, despite an imminent transfer ban and Paris Saint-Germain seeing a €20m bid rejected in January.

“I’m very happy [about Madrid’s interest], but I can’t forget that I’m not there yet,” he told AS.

“I’m still at Bayer Leverkusen, so it gives me stimulus to play even better and means their interest doesn’t only continue but increases and, hopefully, leads to them signing me.

“For any player, regardless of their nationality, playing for Real Madrid is a dream. I would walk to Spain to play for Real Madrid.

“Marcelo is an idol and a reference for me; Roberto Carlos is a legend and myth.

“It would be a wonderful challenge to continue the tradition of great Brazilian players at a club with so much history. I’d love to, really.

“I don’t know [Marcelo], but I’d be honoured to be his understudy and learn from that.

“For me, he’s been the best left-back in the world for years. People talk about [David] Alaba, but for me there’s no comparison. Marcelo is a reference for anyone.

“[Roberto Carlos] is the best left back in history. Who else can boast holding the position for the world’s biggest club and Brazil for more than a decade?

“Players like him and Marcelo are those who you have to watch, admire and learn from so you can become the best in your position. They’re idols.

“When you think of Zidane, you think of class and elegance, both on and off the pitch.

“You just need to look at him in order to admire him, plus see what he says and learn everything he knows. He understands football.

“His quality as a player was undeniable, and I’m sure as a Coach it’s the same.

“I’m a grafter and a cheerful, easy-going and quiet guy. I love to play football and learn from the veterans.

“As a player, I’m an attacking left-back, which works well in defence but actively seeks to participate in attacking play.

“My biggest concern is always to maintain consistency. I don’t like players who are 10 in one game and three in another. I always try to be seven or eight.

“No doubt, the Spanish [League suits me the most]. They play attacking football, with quality and technique.

“There’s not only Real Madrid and Barcelona. This week, [Leverkusen] played against Villarreal and closely saw how Spanish clubs had evolved tremendously.

“[La Liga] is a League where everyone dreams of playing.”

Wendell, 22, joined Leverkusen from Gremio for a reported €6m two years ago and is set to feature in Brazil’s Olympic team this summer.

Tags Bayer Leverkusen Transfers Wendell
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