ZINEDINE ZIDANE has refused to back down in the wrangle between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain over Kylian Mbappe.

PSG sporting director Leonardo hit out at the coach during the week over comments that Mbappe "dreamt of playing for Real".

But Zidane refused to accept any blame amid accusations of trying to "destabilise" the hotshot forward.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zidane insisted: "No, I didn't say anything.

"I said only what the player said, that his dream was to play here.

"Everyone then does what they want."

PSG are desperate to avoid another transfer saga after Neymar's attempts to leave during the summer.

Talk of a new contract to see off Los Blancos' lures has been hit with the suggestion Mbappe is now too expensive for PSG.

Le Parisien assert that any deal would likely have to be in line with Neymar's £35million-a-year plus bonuses deal.

And the Ligue 1 champions simply cannot afford that at the moment, say L'Equipe.

That could be music to the ears of Zidane whose Madrid side showed their willingness to spend big in the summer, splashing £300m on new players.

However a new striker may be on the agenda anyway with Luka Jovic struggling to settle and even being dropped from the squad for Saturday's trip to Eibar.

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Eden Hazard has also started slowly in La Liga with just one goal in ten games.

By comparison, Mbappe is once again on incredible form having hit nine goals in 11 outings.

Fortunately for Real, Brazilian teenager Rodrygo has hit the ground running and netted a maiden hat-trick for the club in midweek.

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