La Liga expert Euan McTear has sounded a note of caution over Leeds United’s potential pursuit of Real Madrid veteran Marcelo this summer.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been linked with a potential swoop for the Brazilian left-back in this transfer window.
The Daily Mirror has claimed that both Leeds and Everton are interested in a deal to snap up the Real star, who would cost around £5m.
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Marcelo is a seasoned veteran who has made over 500 appearances for Real but he was somewhat frozen out last season, making just 12 starts in La Liga.
McTear has pointed out that manager Zinedine Zidane tended to prefer the youth product Miguel Gutierrez.
As a result, he is concerned about the suitability of Marcelo ending up at Elland Road.
Speaking exclusively to This Is Futbol, he said: “That’s when he was at his best this season (at wing-back) but even as Real Madrid finished the season, they finished it with a back four.
“Zidane went back to that and for the last few games of the season, Marcelo was the third choice. Mendy was the starter then he was out with injury and Zidane played Miguel Gutierrez who is the 19-year-old from the youth team as the left-back in a back four.
“Marcelo was there, he was perfectly fit and available, on the bench warming up, he even came on as a sub. It was a technical decision that Zidane thought this player, Miguel Gutierrez, was the better fit in a back four.
“It’s not like he’s trying to find out what he has there with Miguel Gutierrez, because they were fighting for the league title right at the end, so it was quite telling that Zidane demoted Marcelo to third choice left-back at the end of the season.”
Marcelo has won everything there is to win with Real, winning La Liga five times, the Champions League four times, two Spanish Cups, four FIFA Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups. He has also won the Confederations Cup with Brazil.