Barcelona target Mauricio Lemos flattered to know that Real Madrid have joined race to sign him

UD Las Palmas centre-back Mauricio Lemos has welcomed news that he is set to become the subject of a heavyweight summer transfer battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Uruguayan starlet says he is flattered at the interest from the La Liga giants, but added he does not want to think too much regarding the move until things are closer to sign-off.

The 20 year-old defender moved to UD Las Palmas on loan from Rubin Kazan during the January transfer window, before the Canary Islanders activated a clause to secure his services on a permanent basis months later.

However his future at Las Palmas has been the subject of scrutiny since last month, when local publication Canarias7 revealed Barcelona had launched a bid worth €4m ($5.7m) plus add-ons to lure the defender to the Nou Camp.

Later, both the club's general manager, Toni Cruz, and president, Miguel Angel Ramirez, confirmed the news, but added that they had turned down the Barcelona bid as it was too far from their own valuation of the player. Lemos's release clause is currently set at €30m.

Reports in Barcelona have since claimed that Luis Enrique's side are expected to increase their offer, but earlier this week both Marca and AS reported that they may face competition from Real Madrid to sign the player.

AS claimed that Lemos' entourage themselves have his services to Real Madrid, and Los Blancos are considering entering the battle and hijack their arch-enemies' approach for the player's signature.

Lemos has now expressed his delight over the news, but did not express a preference for two opposing sides of El Clasico.

"I have just found about the news that Real Madrid have also asked for me. It makes me very excited because to see my name linked with two big clubs from Europe is something that anyone would like," Lemos said to Canarias 7.

"At the moment I'm at home, with my people, and enjoying the holidays. Until there is something concrete with a team I do not want to think about it. Obviously it excites me to be on the agenda of the big clubs but, until the things are closed, I will just continue enjoying my holidays with my family and my friends in Uruguay."

Meanwhile, Canarias 7 added that Las Palmas would only consider negotiating his departure if either of the La Liga giants paid over €10-12m for him, which would be a new record fee received by the club.