Vicente del Bosque says that he would try and persuade reported Manchester United target Alvaro Morata not to leave Real Madrid were he still at the club.
Reports in both Spain and England have claimed that personal terms have been agreed between Morata's camp and United, but Madrid are holding out for a fee of at least €80 million, although Blancos president Florentino Perez has denied that any formal negotiations with United have taken place.
Former Madrid and Spain coach Del Bosque, who first knew Morata as a kid in the club's youth system, told El Transistor that were he in charge he would be looking to keep a player who scored 20 goals despite limited playing time.
"These are decisions for the players," Del Bosque said. "If I were the Real Madrid coach I would like him to stay. He is a senior Spain international and Madrid should never let go the best players."
Del Bosque also commented on the situation with Cristiano Ronaldo, whose future remains unclear due to his apparent upset and anger at being called to appear in a Spanish court on July 31 to answer to an alleged €14.7 million tax fraud.
"On a footballing level it is clear that Real Madrid would lose a huge amount [were Ronaldo to leave]," Del Bosque said. "The other question is still to be seen, and whether it is about an interpretation or not, everyone has to pay [their taxes]."