Real Madrid chief Zinedine Zidane has admitted that the Spanish club's decision to swoop for out-of-contract Bayern Munich centre-back David Alaba has nothing to do with the prospect of Sergio Ramos leaving the club this summer.
According to reports in Spain, Madrid have agreed a four-year deal with Alaba, following his decision not to sign a new deal in Germany.
The Austrian international, who can operate at either centre-back or left-back, will officially put pen to paper on a deal in the next few weeks before officially joining the Spanish giants ahead of the start of next season.
Should the deal be completed without any final snags or complications, Madrid will have seen off some healthy competition from some big-name European clubs to land the 28-year-old's signature.
The news of Madrid being poised to sign Alaba has given Tottenham Hotspur hope that they could be able to pull off an ambitious move for Ramos this summer.
At this moment in time, the legendary centre-back, who has been on Madrid's books since 2005, is yet to commit his future to the 13-time European Cup winners, with his contract poised to expire at the end of this current season.
Should Ramos fail to agree terms with Madrid before the summer, Spurs could be waiting in the wings to secure his services. Throughout last summer and beyond, Jose Mourinho - the Spurs head coach - has been desperate to add a big-name centre-half to his squad.
During the summer window, Inter Milan ace Milan Skriniar was heavily linked with a move to north London, but in the end they made a move for Swansea City's Joe Rodon.
But with Mourinho having worked alongside Ramos in the past, there is hope within some sections of the Tottenham fan base that the Portuguese chief's connections with the 34-year-old could convince him to seal a move to north London.
However, despite Madrid poised to land Alaba, Zidane has confirmed that the prospect of him arriving at the club has not come as a result of the uncertainty concerning Ramos' future.
Zidane told Marca: "It has nothing to do with it. Sergio and Lucas (Vazquez) have been playing for Madrid for a long time.
"They are always ready and focused. The rest will be seen in the future."
Throughout his career, Ramos has established himself as one of the world's greatest centre-backs of all-time, meaning any club fortunate enough to land his signature, should he fail to extend his stay in Madrid, would be landing an iconic figure.
Although Zidane appears to be upbeat about the prospect of retaining Ramos' services, the impending arrival of Alaba is bound to give Spurs hope that they can get a deal over the line for the Spaniard in the coming months, should he fail to extend his stay in the Spanish capital.
