Zinedine Zidane says he is focused on the players he has at his disposable at the Santiago Bernabeu and is not paying any attention to rumours – particularly surrounding Barcelona striker Neymar.
Some media outlets have suggests Los Blancos are keen to tempt the Brazilian away from the Camp Nou in a move that would perhaps be even more controverisal than Luis Figo’s 16 years ago.
However, Zidane played down talk of trying to sign the forward, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or this year, saying he can’t do much about rumours.
“I’ve got a 26-man squad and I’m happy to be working with them, that’s the only thing I’m focusing on, and on tomorrow’s game. I don’t think that the players are bothered by these rumours. Everyone is free to have their own opinion. There’ll always be rumours, and that’ll always be the case,” he commented.
Asked about his plans to recruit new players considering the transfer ban that is likely to be imposed on the club, the Frenchman said it is something he will look at in the future. FIFA temporarily suspended the two-window ban while it investigates Real’s appeal meaning the club will likely be able to sign players in the summer.
He stated: “We’ll talk about that in the summer, but right now there’s nothing going on because I’m happy with the squad.”
