We'd consider Mendieta - Real president

In an online chat session on the club's website, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has admitted if the club failed to land Zinedine Zidane they would consider chasing Valencia midfielder, Gaizka Mendieta.

Responding to a suggestion by a Real fan that Mendieta would be a good alternative to Zidane, Perez said:

"It would be a good idea…" to think about Mendieta in case Zidane couldn't be signed. "I will mention it to (sports director Jorge) Valdano."

Meanwhile, on the subject of Zidane, Perez said: "The signing of Zidane depends on whether it is what the coach wants. It will not be money problem because all the great players are very profitable, economically speaking. If the coach considers his signing a positive one, I will do everything I can to obtain it."