Mariano Diaz is reportedly inching closer to joining Sevilla, with Real Madrid ready to deal with their La Liga rivals for the 28-year-old forward.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Mariano Diaz is closing in on completing a move to Sevilla in the January transfer window. Real Madrid are prepared to enter negotiations with their La Liga rivals over a deal for the 28-year-old forward, who could depart the Santiago Bernabeu in a move worth around €10 million.
Mariano Diaz is currently in his second spell with Real Madrid, having returned to the club from Lyon in August 2018. However, his latest stint with Los Blancos has panned out just as his first one did, as he has had to suffice with rare starts and appearances off the bench, with Karim Benzema, the firm first-choice striker.
The same has been the case this season, as Mariano has featured just once thus far in a game that Benzema missed. So, it is hardly surprising that widespread reports have suggested that the 28-year-old forward could leave Real Madrid in the January transfer window, with Sevilla being one of his suitors.
The interest from Sevilla is understandable, considering Youssef En-Nesyri is sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an injury he sustained recently. With the Moroccan forward unavailable, Julen Lopetegui has Rafa Mir and Munir El Haddadi as the only other strikers at his disposal.
While Mir is one for the future and could be given a long rope, Munir has been too inconsistent for the former Real Madrid manager’s liking. Hence, it is understandable why Los Nervionenses are keen on signing a striker in the January transfer window, with Mariano a viable target.
The 28-year-old has enough experience in La Liga and could ideally slot in seamlessly in the first-team setup at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. And Sevilla have now been handed a major boost in pursuit of Mariano, with Real Madrid giving the go-ahead for negotiations to begin.
According to the report, the La Liga heavyweights would be open to offloading Mariano for around €10 million, as they know they can fetch a higher sum for him. Meanwhile, Real Madrid could use the upcoming talks to discuss a move for Jules Kounde, who is a key target for them. Mariano appears to be closing in on a switch across La Liga to join Sevilla this winter, though.
