Transfer Centre

Zinedine Zidane: 'Kylian Mbappe is a very talented player'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 July 2017

Zinedine Zidane hints that he could make a move for AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, while also declaring that Cristiano Ronaldo will be staying at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has confessed that he is a big fan of Kylian Mbappe, but refused to confirm whether an approach has been made for the AS Monaco forward.

Mbappe has reportedly been on the radar of a number of European heavyweights this summer, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Arsenal and Madrid.

Los Blancos are widely considered to be the frontrunners to sign the France international, however, as they would likely be willing to match his world-record transfer valuation.

Zidane has hinted that he wants to bring Mbappe to the Bernabeu, but he will not be a direct replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portugal superstar is staying put this summer.

"He is very good," he told ESPN. "He is a talent, he is 18 years old, he has personality. He is very good, very good as a player and has shown it all year, but he is not a player of mine. Apart from what I'm telling you, I can not tell you more.

"Cristiano? He is on vacation. He is resting and deserves it. We will wait and when the vacation ends, he will return with us and that's it. In the end Cristiano is at Madrid and is going to stay with us and that's it."

Monaco have reportedly accused several of Europe's top clubs of making an illegal approach for Mbappe, who scored 26 goals in all competitions last season for the Ligue 1 title winners.