Zidane admits Real lacking strike power

Jul 22, 2017 - 8:21 PM Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says the club are "lacking a striker" following Alvaro Morata's move to Chelsea, while also admitting his appreciation of the in-demand Kylian Mbappe.

Spain international Morata has left for Stamford Bridge in a deal worth around PS60 million ($98.5m) and Real are widely expected to fill the gap up front, with Monaco starlet Mbappe a prime target.

The 18-year-old scored 24 goals last season as Monaco claimed their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years and could command a world record transfer fee in excess of PS100m.

The French club suggested this week they could report "important clubs" to FIFA for illicit approaches to the player, but Real are reported to have been in lengthy and formal talks over the deal.

"We've had some very good players move on and some young guys come in. We always try to make improvements to the squad," Zidane told a press conference in Los Angeles.

"Alvaro has gone and we're lacking a striker at the moment. We saw what he did last year, he played very well and brought a lot to the team. It's the way it is. We'll see what we're going to do about it."

A matter of weeks ago the future of Cristiano Ronaldo was under debate, with a possible return to Manchester United being discussed, but such talk appears to have been ill-founded.

ZIdane acknowledged the swirl of speculation over the club's star man but happily predicted the Portugal international could remain for a number of seasons.

"There's been a lot of talk surrounding Cristiano, that he wanted to go," he said. "I only believe in one thing. Whenever I've spoken to him, he's been very relaxed.

"He's on holiday and he'll be back with us on August 5th. I listen, just like everyone else, but the only thing I'm concerned with is what he wants to do with Real Madrid. He'll be here with us on the 5th and I think he'll stay for the next two or three years he's got left with us."

Source: AAP