Transfer Centre

Zinedine Zidane refuses to rule out future swoop for Neymar

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 17 November 2017

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane refuses to rule out making a future move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, despite his strong links to rivals Barcelona.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has described Neymar as a "very good footballer" and admitted that a future move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward cannot be ruled out.

Neymar was linked with a shock switch to the Spanish and European champions earlier this week after reportedly growing upset at the Parc des Princes, just three months after making a £198m exit from Barcelona.

Probed on whether Madrid are interested in bringing the Brazil international back to La Liga, Zidane suggested that it is a matter that can wait until the future as he is happy with his current crop of players.

"Neymar is a very good footballer, that's true," he told reporters. "I have the best players here at this club and the same goes for the dressing room. You can only work with and focus on the players that are here. As for the future, who knows?"

Asked about a potential falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo should Neymar make the high-profile switch, Zidane added: "There's no debate there really. We have to focus on today, on now, who knows what will happen in the future?

"I'm not going to come out and share my views on a player who doesn't play here. I respect [Neymar], he's a good player, and that's it."

Neymar has played a direct part in 18 goals in his first 12 outings for PSG since his record-breaking transfer in the summer.