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Leeds United transfer target Guardado almost became Real Madrid superstar

Mexico's midfielder Andres Guardado (L) celebrates with Mexico's midfielder Hirving Lozano (R) after scoring a goal during the international friend...
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Leeds United were last week linked to Andres Guardado.

Mexico's midfielder Andres Guardado (L) celebrates with Mexico's midfielder Hirving Lozano (R) after scoring a goal during the international friendly football match between Belgium and...

Leeds United have been linked with a surprise move for Mexico international Andres Guardado.

Mexican outlet ElGolDigital report Leeds are keen on a move for the talented 31-year-old.

Guardado has had a stellar career, racking up more than 100 international caps and starring for clubs in Spain, Germany and Holland.

But perhaps it could have been even better for the Real Betis winger, who has six assists in 11 games this season in La Liga.

Andres Guardado of Mexico controls the ball during the International Friendly match between Poland and Mexico at Energa Arena Stadium on November 13, 2017 in Gdansk, Poland.

Guardado revealed earlier this season he almost signed for Real Madrid.

Guardado was wanted by Real back in 2006, while he was still playing for Mexican side Atlas.

He turned down the move, as he was wanted to join their academy side, and believed he was above that level.

He told Sopitas: “They made an offer to go to Castilla. They were looking for the successor of Roberto Carlos at that time and yes, they looked for me to go to Castilla for six months and see my evolution, and if I could make the leap to the first team.

“Anyway, at that time I had played a World Cup and my team did not think I should go to a subsidiary, even if it was Real Madrid.”

Marcelo Da Silva Junior #12 of Real Madrid and Timothy Fosu-Mensah #24 of Manchester United go for the ball during the International Champions Cup match at Levi's Stadium on July 23, 2017...

Real went on to sign Marcelo instead a few months later, and the Brazilian has been a first team regular ever since, winning three Champions League titles.

The Real Madrid director at the time was Ivan Bravo, currently at Leeds United. That may purely be coincidence amid reports of their present interest, but it is worth noting all the same.

While Guardado felt like he made the right choice to snub Real at the time, and has had an impressive career, it’s hard to feel looking back that he did not make a mistake.