Sunderland have been speculatively linked with a move for Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy.

Sunderland have been linked with an ambitious swoop for Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, but whether the 30-year-old would be open to a prospective move to Wearside this month remains to be seen.

According to continental outlet Fichajes, the Black Cats are said to be weighing up whether to make a £9.5 million bid for the defender, who has been blighted by injury of late. Over the past two seasons, Mendy has missed close to 40 matches due to various fitness complaints.

But while Madrid may be willing to entertain an approach that would potentially allow them to free up space in their dressing room for further defensive recruitment, it is less clear whether Mendy himself would consider leaving the Champions League giants for a stint at the Stadium of Light.

And if past comments are anything to go by, it would take a lot to convince him to part company with his “dream” club...

What has Ferland Mendy said about his time at Real Madrid amid Sunderland transfer links?

Speaking to Realmadrid TV's Campo de Estrellas last year, the France international said: "In my neighbourhood, there was a pitch behind my house, just behind my block of flats. It was a gravel pitch, with goals without nets and that's where I first started to play with the other kids from my neighbourhood.

"Whenever I got the ball, I loved to dribble and I made a noise when I got past a player. I played up front, then on the left wing and since then, I've been a left wing-back. My dream as a child was to play for Real Madrid and I've ultimately managed to achieve that. It was a real source of satisfaction for me. It's a dream come true to play for the best team in the world.

“Opportunities like this don't come along often in life and when they do present themselves, you've got to take them. I was really nervous on the day of my unveiling after seeing so many people in front of me. It was the first time that had happened to me. When I set foot on the Bernabeu pitch, I was impressed.

“The day I made my Real Madrid debut was a special one. I wanted to make a good impression and perform well... I knew that it'd be a tough game against Bayern Munich. But it's a pleasure to pull on the Real Madrid shirt and I intend on giving my all every time I do so."

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Addressing his recent injury troubles, Mendy added: "I was 14, almost 15, and it was an injury to my left hip. When you're told at that age that that's that for you as far as football is concerned and that you'll never play again... I thought that my dream would never come true. I spent two months in hospital with both legs in plaster.

"That's when I realised that I'd have to learn to walk again. I started and spent around four or five months in rehab. It took me a month to learn to walk, although I really pushed myself, because it still hurt me for a year or two after. Towards the end of rehab, I started to walk on crutches and I then learned to walk in a straight line. I kicked a ball a year after that. I'll never forgot those things and they've made me mentally stronger.”

Your next Sunderland read: Sunderland transfer rumours grow around Real Madrid defender who cost £45.6m earlier in his career