Real Madrid have decided to sack Zinedine Zidane at the end of the season and are in talks to replace him with Joachim Low, according to reports in Spain.

Madrid are currently fourth in La Liga and trail Barcelona by 16 points. Zinedine also oversaw a 3-0 defeat to their arch rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final game before the winter break in December.

Sport report that Madrid president Florentino Perez has already decided to call time on Zidane’s reign at the end of the campaign and has held talks with the 45-year-old’s replacement.

The report claims that Madrid’s hierarchy have been negotiating with Low and are optimistic that the Germany boss will accept their proposal.

The major complication in Madrid’s move for Low is the 57-year-old’s contract with the German Football Association (DFB) as his deal runs until after the end of Euro 2020.

But Madrid are hopeful that they can reach an agreement with the DFB to get him to the Spanish capital after the end of the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Low has managed Germany since 2006 and guided his nation to success in the 2014 World Cup. He was also a beaten finalist against Spain in Euro 2008.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is also on Madrid’s radar, although he still has nearly three years remaining on his contract with Spurs.