Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has moved to block the club's defensive signing plans.

With Pepe set to leave when his contract expires in June, Real are eyeing Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi.

However, Don Balon says Zidane has told directors to drop their pursuit of the Argentine.

Instead, the Frenchman would prefer Jesus Vallejo be recalled from his loan at Eintracht Frankfurt for next season.

Vallejo has been outstanding in Germany and Zidane sees him as a better option than Otamendi.