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Damiao not dissuaded from Spurs move

Leandro Damiao is still interested in a move to Spurs © PA Photos

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Internacional striker Leandro Damiao says he would prefer to move to a club playing in the Champions League, but will not rule out a switch to Tottenham.

Damiao, 23, has been attracting interest from Spurs for some time, with the Premier League side failing in a last-ditch bid for the player during the January transfer window.

With Andre Villas-Boas' men unable to secure Champions League football for next season, though, it has been suggested that they will struggle to acquire talents like the Brazil international.

However, Damiao has said that while he wants to be playing in Europe's elite club competition, it is a side's "ambition" which matters to him most.

"I know of Tottenham's interest in me but I am happy to wait until the president of my club lets me know something official," he told the Sunday Mirror. "I would prefer to play in a team that is in the Champions League, but the most important thing is that they share the same ambition that I have."

Damiao, who is likely to play a part in the Selecao's friendly against England on Sunday, has followed in the footsteps of Neymar and hit out at the Three Lions' World Cup chances.

"I don't see that there is any reason to fear England at the World Cup," he said. "Brazil always expected to win the World Cup - and even more so when it is being staged in our own country.

"And when you look at the nations who are a threat to us doing that, we don't see England as one of them. Spain have dominated lately and Germany are clearly also a very powerful team. They are the teams who I think will be our major competition. I do not rate England to be anywhere near that level.

"The Premier League is one of the best in the world - but maybe that does not help England. It is a very rich league and clubs can afford to buy the best players in the world. Here in Brazil there is a big emphasis on developing players that maybe you don't get in England."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.