Story By:  Alex Cope, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golders News & Sport Ltd.

Former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas has claimed Real Madrid were interested in signing him this summer and says Cristiano Ronaldo “covered up” the European Champions’ “deficiencies”.

Aspas has had a great start to the season with Celta Vigo, scoring eight goals in 11 La Liga matches and the Spaniard has revealed Real Madrid were interested in signing him last summer.

He said: “They didn’t get in contact with me but it’s true there was interest. I don’t know if there was ant contact between the clubs. They signed Mariano to cover their lack of a ‘9’. I have always said in football you never know what can happen but I have four years left on my contract with Celta and I am happy here.”

Celta Vigo take on Real Madrid on Sunday and Aspas praised his upcoming opponents despite their poor start to the season which saw manager Julen Lopetegiu fired but added that Cristiano Ronaldo had covered up their shortages.

The 31-year-old said: “They have made a lot of changes and they have some injuries. They are the best players in the world. We’ll confront the match like any other but it’s nice to watch and play in it. Cristiano Ronaldo gave them a lot of goals and covered up Real Madrid’s deficiencies.”

Aspas had a disappointing two-year spell with Liverpool, failing to score in 14 appearances before being sold to Celta Vigo in 2015 after a season-long loan to Sevilla.

He has scored 63 goals in 111 appearances since returning to boyhood club Celta Vigo.