Sevilla are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz this summer, with the player also open to the switch to Andalusia.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz has emerged as a key transfer target for La Liga rivals Sevilla ahead of the 2022/23 campaign this summer.
Diaz is in his second stint with Real Madrid, having returned to the club in 2018, a year after he left for Olympique Lyon. However, the striker has found game-time hard to come by since his move back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 28-year-old made just 11 appearances across all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign, scoring and assisting one goal apiece. While Diaz’s presence provides manager Carlo Ancelotti with depth in the No. 9 position, the return of Borja Mayoral from loan and the potential promotion of Castilla striker Juanmi Latasa means that Diaz does not have a place in the squad anymore.
Diaz, along with Luka Jovic, is likely to be shown the exit doors this summer. While the latter is closing in on a move to Fiorentina, Real Madrid were having a hard time moving Diaz on from the club as the player intended to stay put at the Bernabeu and see out the remainder of his contract which expires in a little over a year.
The 28-year-old striker had turned down chances to join Getafe and Rayo Vallecano, but things could change with Sevilla’s entry into the picture. Julen Lopetegui’s side are looking out for a new centre-forward to compete with Rafa Mir and Youssef En-Nesyri as they look to continue on their recent good run and challenge the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Having decided against signing on-loan Manchester United striker Anthony Martial permanently, Sevilla are now on the lookout for a new striker and have identified Mariano Diaz as a possible option to bolster their frontline in the summer transfer window.
As per the report, despite having shown a reluctance to leave Real Madrid, Mariano could consider the prospect of joining Sevilla as they are a top-level team on the rise and will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season. What remains to be seen is if the two clubs can strike an agreement on a transfer fee.
