Leeds United are reportedly keen on revisiting their interest in Real Madrid centre-forward Mariano Diaz in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to a report from Fichajes, Leeds United have their sights set on Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz as they look for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old Diaz is in his second stint with Real Madrid, returning to the club in 2018 from Olympique Lyon, where he enjoyed a prolific 2017/18 campaign after having initially left the Spanish capital outfit. However, since coming back to the Santiago Bernabeu, Diaz has struggled to make an impact and has found himself on the bench week after week.
Across his two stints in Madrid, Mariano Diaz has managed just 63 appearances, most of which have come from the bench. He has scored just 11 times during this period. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has hardly called upon the 28-year-old in the ongoing campaign, with the striker making just one La Liga appearance.
Given the situation, it is clear that Mariano is not part of the plans at Real Madrid, who could be open to letting him leave in January for the right offer. And while a move to Sevilla was being touted heavily, Leeds United have now entered the picture for the signing of the ex-Badalona youth prospect.
The Whites have found it hard to cope with the absence of Patrick Bamford, who has been sidelined with an injury. The likes of Rodrigo Moreno, Daniel James and young Joe Gelhardt have been used in the No. 9 slot in the England international’s absence, but they have failed to provide a consistent source of goals for the Yorkshire-based outfit, leaving them precariously close to the relegation zone.
So, Bielsa & co. are on the lookout for a new striker in the January transfer window. Leeds United had been linked with Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah earlier this month, with Mariano Diaz now emerging as a viable option. The report claims that Bielsa is an admirer of the 28-year-old attacker and is the man driving Leeds’ interest in him.
As for Mariano, the Real Madrid ace would be open to the prospect of a move to the Premier League. It remains to be seen if there is any meaningful progress made on this front in the coming weeks or whether Leeds decide to look at alternatives to strengthen their frontline.
