Middlesbrough youngster Adam Johnson has revealed how he was linked with a potential move to Real Madrid in the transfer window.

However, the winger was uncertain whether it was serious interest from the Spanish giants and admitted his teammates didn't believe it either.

"I was flattered to be linked with Real Madrid," said Johnson.

"I've been getting a lot of stick from the lads about it. They weren't having it. The lads were saying it couldn't be true that you could go and play for Real Madrid.

"It was the usual banter from them. I was getting all of it, calling me a galactico and getting shouts of Raul.

"I don't know if there was anything in it - the manager never said anything to me. Who knows?

"You can't say that it's a dream come true, getting linked to them, and I just got my head down and got on with the football."