Sergio Canales insists he is unconcerned about speculation linking him with some of Europe’s top clubs but hopes his future is resolved quickly.
The Racing Santander youngster has shot to prominence in the last few weeks having scored four goals in his last three Primera Division matches.
The 18-year-old is thought to have interested the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City with reports in Spain claiming that Real have already negotiated a deal for the forward, although such claims have been dismissed by Santander.
Canales’ contract expires at the end of the season but includes a clause that means it would be automatically reneweed if he plays 450 minutes of first-team football this season.
“I’m calm but it’s clear that we need to resolve this as soon as possible so I can concentrate,” he told Marca.
“It’s not that I’m unsettled, but uncertainty isn’t good.”
Despite the speculation Canales admitted that fewer clubs had enquired about him than media reports had suggested.
“Fifty teams have not called me. Many things are being said, but I’m trying to keep myself at the periphery of all this,” he added.
“Of course, whenever clubs like those are following you it’s nice. It makes me happy.”
The player’s father, and representative, Angel Canales revealed that it was not the first time Barca or Real had approached him for his son’s services.
“When he was 12, Barcelona and Madrid called us, but it was not the time,” he told radio station Onda Cero.
“Barcelona then called again two years later. Then, when he was 16 more teams were calling but by then it was much easier to decide. We had decided that he should develop at Racing.”
Canales senior also admitted that a number of teams had called over the playmaker’s current situation.
“Various teams have called,” he added.
“It’s going to be a very important moment for Sergio. The next two years could decide where he is going to be.
“It’s a very difficult decision in which the economic theme is not the only factor. Nothing has been decided yet.
“What’s clear to me is that Sergio has to play and at a big team and that is very difficult. We need to keep our feet on the ground.”
