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Zinedine Zidane admits he is ‘in love’ with Kylian Mbappe as Real Madrid ‘eye £342m transfer for PSG star’
ZINEDINE ZIDANE admitted he is "in love" with Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe as Los Blancos prepare a mega-money move for the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Real host PSG in the Champions League tonight and Zidane spoke publicly of his admiration for the 20-year-old before the game.
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Zidane said: "I've known him for a long time.
"I've been in love with him for a long time, but as a person first.
"He came here for a trial a long time ago. Tomorrow he comes here as an opponent.
"What's important to me is what we are going to do.
"We know the player he is and his importance to his team. We have to be ready."
Zidane is not the first Real Madrid man to express his love for Mbappe recently after Eden Hazard said he'd love to play with the Frenchman and backed him to be the best player in the world soon.
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And after Mbappe was pictured appearing to flirt with a Spanish actress, rumours of a move to Madrid intensified.
Real are said to be plotting a staggering £342million move for the star - according to Spanish outlet - but his current manager Thomas Tuchel is having none of it.
Asked for his thoughts on Zidane's comments, Tuchel - also speaking ahead of tonight's Group A clash - said: "I do not know in what way or how much Zinedine Zidane is in love with Kylian.
"But the most important thing is that he is our player. Often, we love lots of things that we ultimately cannot have.
"I was in Geneva with Zidane two weeks ago.
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"We did not discuss Kylian. If a question is asked about Kylian, he is French -- what can he say?
"Everyone knows he loves Kylian, like many coaches. I am not upset.
"Kylian is our player. We are trying to create a team with him. I do not want to consider Kylian departing anytime soon."
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