Real Madrid outcast Mariano Diaz has rejected the idea of moving to the Premier League or Arsenal as he wants to fight for his place under Zinedine Zidane.
Arsenal’s transfer plans may have hit another snag after Mariano Diaz has rejected the idea of moving to North London. The Real Madrid forward is surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu but does not want to switch just yet. The Mirror are reporting on the forward after it was claimed Diaz would rather fight for his place than move to Arsenal or the Premier League.
Diaz was part of some hasty signings Real Madrid conducted last summer as the side endured a miserable season on all fronts. The club exercised their buy-back option on Diaz as he made a return to the club in a €22 million plus bonuses deal from Lyon. On his part, Diaz did not help matters on the pitch scoring 3 goals in the league in 13 appearances.
Hence, Zinedine Zidane does not wish to include Diaz in his plans for next season. Madrid on the other hand, are trying to offload their unwanted players to balance the books after splurging massive amounts of money to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea and Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt in the close season. Diaz is one of the players widely tipped to leave the club.
In Madrid’s pursuit to sell their unwanted stars, the La Liga club reportedly offered Diaz to Arsenal in a cut-price £18 million move recently. The fact that Arsenal are on the lookout for a forward player after the departure of Danny Welbeck might have tempted Emery to consider signing Diaz.
However, with the club chasing the likes of Diaz’ teammate Lucas Vazquez and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, it was highly doubtful, Emery would have wanted Diaz anyway.
Now, Diaz has distanced himself from any speculation surrounding him and a move to Arsenal by quashing the idea. The Dominican Republic International reportedly wants to stay put at Real Madrid and fight for his place in the side during the upcoming season. That, however, seems unlikely given Madrid have already spent massive amounts on securing forward players this summer.
Additionally, Diaz is also set to be stripped off his No.7 jersey as Madrid want to offer it to new signing Hazard. Given there was never any substantial interest from Arsenal in signing the player, Real Madrid have to find another suitor for Diaz. Additionally, Diaz has not rejected Arsenal explicitly but does not want to move to the Premier League at all.
So the likes of Tottenham, who were also showing an interest in Diaz, would have to look elsewhere. Although there is further interest in Diaz from the likes of AS Roma and AC Milan as both Italian clubs are looking at viable forward options for the upcoming season.
As for Arsenal, they might try their hand at securing their top targets and might not be too worried about Diaz snubbing a move to the Emirates. Diaz, on the other hand, might endure a torrid time in the coming season, as Zidane clearly doesn’t fancy him in the side, and to play regular football, the former Lyon man needs to find a new club in the coming days.
