This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Zinedine Zidane faced the press in his pre-match conference and was asked to comment on Leonardo's statements regarding Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid coach made a bold response, insisting on his words that he said earlier and decided not to back down in this situation.

What did he say?

A couple of days ago, Zidane was asked about Mbappe in one of his press-conferences and back then, the French boss reminded everyone that the youngster's dream was always to play for Real Madrid.

But it seems that that comment ruffled a couple of feathers over at Paris Saint-Germain, and Leonardo came out with a response accusing Zidane of trying to rattle the team with his remarks.

Watch Spanish Football Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Interestingly enough, even when confronted with those words, Zidane decided to insist on his own, stating that he can say whatever he wants and that he will continue to do so.

Here's what he said in full:

“I’ve said nothing, just what the player said, that his dream was one day to play here. Everyone does what they want. I’ll not say anything else. I simply said what the player said one day, that his dream would be to wear the Real Madrid jersey. I say it again and I would say it every day. I have nothing more to say about Leonardo, I can say whatever I want."

A transfer bound to happen?

The Mbappe to Real Madrid stories are nothing particularly new. Every now and then, Los Blancos are linked with the teenage sensation, rated at £180m by Transfermarkt, and this is one of the transfers that just seem bound to happen at some point in the future. But hearing Zidane not only talk about it so openly, but also standing firm behind his words even when confronted by Mbappe's current team, could suggest there is definitely a story behind this. Not to mention that Leonardo would not respond in a way that he did if he didn't really feel threatened by Zidane's own remark. Deep down, the folks over at Paris Saint-Germain could be afraid that Mbappe's departure is somehow written in the stars and there's nothing much they can do about it except delay the inevitable. The clock is ticking and Real Madrid may well be closer to getting their man with each passing second. Now so more than ever.