Zidane open to loan deal for Real Madrid starlet Vinicius

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has reservations about Vinicius Junior and would welcome a loan deal for the teenager, claims AS.

The 18-year-old was one of few positives for Madrid last season before injury ruled him out for two months at the end of the campaign.

Vinicius made his first appearances under Zidane in Madrid’s final three league matches after recovering from a serious leg injury.

Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Vinicius has the potential to be the next Neymar but Zidane is not convinced at this stage of his career.

Zidane and Perez run the risk of coming to blows over Vinicius’ future, with Perez against a loan move for the Brazil international.

Madrid have already rejected several loan offers for the teen, including from Ronaldo’s Real Valladolid.

Vinicius may have to settle for a season on the bench next term, as Madrid have already signed Eden Hazard and have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

Vinicius scored two goals in 18 league appearances last season, though only nine of those were as starts.

Of players aged 21 and under who made at least 15 appearances in Europe’s top five leagues last season, only Bayer Leverkusen teenager Paulinho (4.8) completed more dribbles per 90 than Vinicius (4.3)