We have the cash to buy Zidane, says Real chief

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez refuses to accept that Juventus will not sell Zinedine Zidane and challenged the Italians on Wednesday to name their price. "His signing depends on whether our coaches want him, it is not a matter of money," he said.

Perez came to power at the Bernabeu last summer promising, amid much scepticism, to bring in Luis Figo from arch rivals Barcelona. He proved as good as his word, then, and Zidane is now No 1 on his hit-list.

"If the coaches think Zidane is necessary for the team, I'll do all I can to sign him," said Perez. "All the great players are viable economically, despite the price."

"If Zidane doesn't sign for Real, Gaizka Mendieta of Valencia would be a good substitute," he added.

Juventus have continually rebuffed Real's attempts to sign Zidane and club president Giovanni Agnelli said on Tuesday night: "I absolutely refuse to sell Zidane." Manager Carlo Ancelotti was quick to back up Agnelli. "Zidane will stay with us," he said.

But the playmaker has fuelled speculation of a summer move to Madrid by revealing he is desperate to play Liga football. "I feel now that if I leave Italy, my main ambition will be to play in Spain," he said.

Real are reportedly willing to offer £10 million plus midfielder Claude Makelele and defender Michel Salgado for the Frenchman, who claimed that winning the Champions' League was his motivation for wanting to play in the Primera.

"I still haven't won the Champions' League and it feels like something is missing. If I could win that, then I'd have won just about everything – and you play the game to win."

"The only thing missing for me is that medal, then I would be complete," he said.