Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho appears to have ruled out a swoop for Gareth Bale after insisting he does not want another left winger.
Real have been repeatedly linked with a move for Wales star Bale, who has been a revelation at Tottenham since switching from full-back to a midfield role.
Spurs rejected an approach for Bale from an unnamed club this summer, which also saw the 21-year-old sign a new four-year contract at White Hart Lane.
That has failed to calm speculation over his future but Mourinho claims he is not currently in the market for a left-sided player after being won over by Brazilian Marcelo.
He told Spanish television station Gol T: "Madrid are constantly being linked with this player and that player but I want to say that I do not want another left winger.
"Marcelo now has offensive quality and defensively he is growing.
"I didn't like anything about Marcelo when I arrived because I thought he could do everything but defend but now I am a lover of his."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies