Transfer Centre

Zinedine Zidane: 'Alvaro Morata exit has left Real Madrid short of a striker'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 23 July 2017

Zinedine Zidane reveals that Real Madrid are in the market for a new forward player following the loss of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has hinted that he is interested in signing Kylian Mbappe from AS Monaco after being left "a striker short" by Alvaro Morata's move to Chelsea.

The Spain international completed a big-money switch to Stamford Bridge on Friday evening after cutting short his largely frustrating second spell with Los Blancos.

Morata was restricted mainly to cameo appearances during last season's double-winning campaign, yet he still managed to hit 20 goals in all competitions.

Zidane admits that Madrid are now a player light in attack, perhaps opening the door for a record-breaking move for Monaco ace Mbappe, who is reportedly valued over the £100m mark.

"We saw what Morata did last season, he played very well and offered us a lot," he told reporters. "For the moment Alvaro has gone and we are a striker short.

"Mbappe? He is a very good player and is wanted by many clubs. We'll see what happens. We have until the 31st [of August]."

Madrid begin their pre-season campaign on Sunday evening with a high-profile friendly against Manchester United in California, before taking on Manchester City four days later.