Zinedine Zidane offered blank cheque to betray Real Madrid and join European giants - Reports

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly been offered a blank checkbook by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to betray Real Madrid and become the Parisian's new manager.

According to El Nacional, the Parc des Princes giants are obsessed with pursuing Zidane. The club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has met with current boss Christophe Galtier and informed him he won't be in charge next season.

The PSG hierarchy are convinced that Zidane is the ideal coach to takeover in Paris. They have resumed talks with the former Real Madrid manager and are willing to offer him a blank checkbook to secure his arrival. The Parisians are prepared to offer the Frenchman an astronomical salary that makes him the world's best-paid manager.

Zidane has been out of management since 2021 when he left Los Blancos for a second time. He was a massive success at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the Champions League three times over the course of two spells.

Hence, he would be joining a direct European rival and one that has had issues with Los Merengues. The pair were at loggerheads over Kylian Mbappe last year when the French forward's contract with PSG was expiring. He eventually put pen to paper on a new three-year deal but the French giants were enraged by Madrid's pursuit.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti defends Karim Benzema after poor performance in Manchester City loss

Karim Benzema struggled in the defeat to City.

Real Madrid made a demoralizing exit from the Champions League after a 4-0 (5-1 aggregate) defeat to Manchester City in the semifinals. Carlo Ancelotti's side were deservedly beaten with their attackers having little impact at the Etihad on Wednesday (May 17).

Karim Benzema came in for criticism after the game for his lackluster performance. It was just a year removed from his heroics that guided Los Blancos to the European title.

However, Ancelotti has defended the French striker, insisting that Benzema wasn't the only player who performed poorly on the night. He said (via MadridXtra):

"Criticism towards Benzema is nonsense. He's not the only one who played bad."

Benzema has experienced a mixed season amid fitness issues. He has scored 29 goals in 40 games across competitions. However, he has struggled to replicate his feats from the 2021-22 campaign which saw him finish top scorer in La Liga and the Champions League.

The Frenchman has reportedly agreed terms on a new one-year extension with Real Madrid. His current deal expires at the end of the season but he looks set to stay for another campaign.