German starlet Arne Maier insists he is living the dream at Hertha Berlin amid speculation linking him with Manchester United and Arsenal.

The 19-year-old has established himself as a regular for the Bundesliga outfit and has been earmarked as one of the brightest young talents in the country.

Such exploits have caught the eye of the big European clubs, but Maier insists he is enjoying playing for his hometown club.

"It is always a nice feeling to be praised," Maier told Goal.

"But no matter how much I may be praised at the moment, on the field that does not help me. There I am on my own and every time I have to go to my limits and not rest.

"But I want to emphasise that I like this torture. I'm living my dream."