Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has played down suggestions that the Spanish giants are looking to hijack Everton's signing of Sandro Ramirez from Malaga.

The 21-year-old, currently on Spain Under-21s duty at the European Championships, has been strongly linked with a switch to Goodison Park in the past fortnight

Sandro was recently said to have already agreed personal terms with Everton and was awaiting a medical before finalising a £5m transfer, but Spanish publication Marca hinted earlier this week that Madrid could join the race.

Asked about his side's supposed interest in the former Barcelona product, however, Perez claimed that it was "the first news I've heard of it".

Sandro has started three of Spain's four games at U21 Euro 2017, including 74 minutes in the 3-1 semi-final win over Italy on Tuesday night.