Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano feels it's too soon for Feyenoord striker Santi Gimenez to be considered for Los Merengues.

The Mexico international has been superb in Holland since moving to Feyenoord last year.

Valdano told ESPN: "It's too early for that. There is good news, that the number 9 shirt of Real Madrid is empty, it has no one inside. You have to wait for your turn. The dream is Kylian Mbappé, but dreams do not always come true."

Valdano admits he's following Giménez, who this season has 13 goals and three assists in the Eredivisie.

“Competitive touch, playing at the highest level is allowing him to constantly evolve. Furthermore, where appropriate, measurable through goals. Anyway, a really important appearance.

"If Mexico had any deficit in Qatar, it was precisely up there. Because Raúl Jiménez was injured, and the most important players came with problems of all kinds, that clearly undermined Mexico's aspirations. Finding the goal in this is very important and Mexico has a solution there."