Tottenham transfers: Leandro Damiao aware of Spurs interest
Tottenham transfers: Leandro Damiao hints Spurs' failure to qualify for the Champions League won't scupper a potential move
Leandro Damiao has hinted Tottenham Hotspur’s failure to qualify for the Champions League won’t scupper a potential move to White Hart Lane.
Tottenham are long-term admirers of the Brazil international and Andre Villas-Boas is understood to have come close to landing the 23-year-old in the January transfer window.
And the Internacional forward is aware of the north London side’s interest and wants to join a club which can match the South American’s ambitions.
“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.”
The striker, who has 16 Brazil caps, believes England won’t be a real threat to the hosts’ chances of winning the World Cup next year.
“I don’t see that there is any reason to fear England at the World Cup,” said Damiao.
“Brazil always expect 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.”
