Zinedine Zidane has distanced himself from reports linking his Real Madrid side with the signing of Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The French manager believes a prospective deal for the player would be ‘complicated’ after rumours Real were keen on the star began to circulate following the Spaniard’s absence from Antonio Conte’s first Chelsea side of the season.

Real’s suggested interest stems from their reluctance to meet Juventus’ asking price for Paul Pogba, who subsequently returned to Manchester United.

Zidane, however, has insisted a move for Fabregas is unlikely given the Real side is already overflowing with world class midfield talent.

‘If you want to put another central midfielder into the mix then it becomes complicated. Cesc is a great player but it is not very straightforward,’ Zidane told the media, reports Goal.

‘I am going to end up with a squad where three or four players do not get selected. To therefore put another player in there makes it difficult.’

Zidane insists he is more than happy with the squad already has at his disposal and was quick to remind reporters that his players lifted the Champions League last season.

‘What I want us to do is to work hard all year round, because you don’t just win things because you’re Real Madrid. You have to work and that’s all I want from the players,’ he concluded.

Real begin the La Liga season with an away fixture against Real Sociedad.

The match will be played at the Anoeta Stadium.

Kick-off is at 20:15.