Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Riyad Mahrez, Marcus Rashford Rumours

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has fuelled speculation of a sensational switch to Real Madrid by calling Zinedine Zidane the best manager in the world.

The Algerian was instrumental in Leicester’s incredible Premier League title victory last season, and many expected him to move on in the summer to join one of Europe’s big guns.

However, rather than move on to pastures new, Mahrez signed a bumper new four-year deal at the King Power Stadium and looked to have ended speculation on his future.

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Not a second of it, though, as during an interview with Goal, Mahrez gave an interesting response to the question of who is the best manager in the world (via Thomas McIlroy of Daily Star): "In England, it is our manager [Claudio Ranieri] and, in the world, I would say Zidane because he won the Champions League."

Spanish outlet Marca has interpreted Mahrez’s words as a hint that he wants to link up with Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, yet it’s difficult to see the La Liga giants putting money on the table.

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It will cost a pretty penny to pay Mahrez out of his current contract with Leicester, while finding a place for the Algerian in Real’s setup is rather difficult.

As it would be for Madrid’s next rumoured target: Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.

Reports in Spain state that Bernabeu scouts headed to Wembley to watch Rashford in England’s 3-0 victory over Scotland on Friday night, via Jamie Gordon of the Sun.

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However, the 19-year-old wasn’t used by England boss Gareth Southgate during the win, which means club representatives will have to head to Old Trafford if they want to get a look at the exciting youngster.

Real have to wait until 2018 to register any new players, but they’ll hope to get plans in place to make deals as easily as possible when their transfer ban is eventually lifted.

Attention has turned to tying down their most valuable assets, and the club will likely look to continue issuing important contracts over the coming months.