Hertha Berlin midfielder Vladimir Darida has said he is flattered by claims Real Madrid are interested in signing him but he is not taking the reported interest seriously at this stage.
Last week, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that Madrid viewed Darida, 25, as a potential option to fulfil the "water carrier" role in midfield and allow the club's attacking talents to flourish.
The 5-foot-6 Czech Republic international has covered more ground than any other player in the Bundesliga this season -- an average of over 13 kilometres per match -- and has excelled as both a holding midfielder and attacking midfielder.
Asked about the reported interest from Real Madrid, Darida told Bild: "It's certainly nice to hear that they are aware of me, but my feet are firmly on the ground, and I don't think Real's interest currently is real."
Darida, who joined Hertha from Freiburg in the summer, has been one of key stars for the capital club during an unexpectedly successful campaign that sees the club third in the Bundesliga and on course for direct qualification to the Champions League.
"I of course dream of Europe at times," he said.
Last weekend, Hertha defeated Schalke and increased the gap over their fifth-placed opponents to four points with only eight games left to be played.
"The win against Schalke was our best performance since the winter break by far," Darida said.
At the weekend, Hertha host mid-table Ingolstadt and, with fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach visiting Schalke, they could take another important step towards a top-four finish.
