Being linked to Tottenham last summer 'hurt' Angel di Maria, the Argentine has revealed.

With Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea, the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti from PSG, and their pursuit of then Tottenham star Gareth Bale - the Spanish giants were in transition.

With negotiations dragging out with Spurs over Bale, it wasn't long before members of the Real squad were linked with White Hart Lane, as makeweights in the deal.

Di Maria, along with Fabio Coentrao, was strongly linked with moves to north London, and the Argentine admits it was an unsettling period of his career.

“It hurts when you’re always doing your best for your club and then you hear that you might be going to Tottenham," he told Marca.

“I spoke with the manager last summer. I wanted to stay and he wanted me to stay as well. He told me that he counted on me and it was up to me from then on.

“I have grown a lot under Ancelotti," he continued. "He got the best out of me. Things have gone well and I made the right decision to stay.”

Di Maria made 46 appearances for Ancelotti last term, scoring eight goals. His surging run lead to Bale's vital strike in Lisbon earlier this month, clinching the Champions League title and ending Real Madrid's wait for La Decima.

But despite their success in Europe, Real Madrid are once again being linked with the world's elite - with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the their crosshairs - after a disappointing domestic campaign.

As for Di Maria, he insists that, despite interest from other clubs, he is happy to stay in the Spanish capital, for as long as the club wants him.

“I am not going to lie, I know that there are clubs that want to sign me and can match Real Madrid’s demands.”

“But that’s up to my representatives and the club. I will stay if the club wants me to stay.

“I am not thinking about my future now. We will see what Madrid have in mind, whether they want me to stay or leave.

“I am happy at Madrid. I had a great season and always had everybody’s support. But sometimes you don’t have a choice, even when you want to stay yourself.”