• La Liga

Di Maria admits he could leave Real Madrid

ESPN staff
May 30, 2014
Angel di Maria looked to be on his way out of Real Madrid last summer © Getty Images
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Angel di Maria says he wants to stay at Real Madrid but is aware the club might want to sell him this summer.

Tottenham and other Premier League clubs have been strongly linked with Di Maria. Last December, he rejected talk linking him with a move away from Madrid.

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Di Maria's future has been the subject of speculation throughout the last 12 months - when Gareth Bale arrived last summer there were widespread rumours that he would be moved on, while the January transfer window again brought stories that Madrid president Florentino Perez would listen to offers for Di Maria.

"Many things were said, sometimes you think a lot and it hurts you when you are trying to always do your best for a club and then it comes out that you might be going to Tottenham," Di Maria told Marca.

"These are difficult moments for a player and it is difficult to keep out of it. I was relaxed, I knew I was going to stay at Madrid. I spoke with the boss last summer, he wanted me to stay, I told him he could count on me. Things went well. I took a good decision and was European champion."

Di Maria is keen to stay at Madrid next season, but he was aware that at clubs like Madrid players could sometimes be moved on against their wishes.

"I am very happy," he said. "I had a great year and the fans recognised that, I always had their support. Although you want to stay, sometimes you cannot because the club wants another player, or to make more signings, and needs to sell. And somebody must go. But I am very happy."

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