Real Madrid flop Mariano Diaz asks to leave the club
The former Lyon striker is set to be pushing for an exit from the club, leaving manager Carlo Ancelotti with the additional problem of losing another striker this summer.
The forward made a sensational return to the club four years ago after a swell season in France but he was unable to stamp his authority in his position and got just 12 LaLiga starts since 2018. With Karim Benzema as the first-choice striker and with the signing of Luka Jovic, Mariano was stuck on the bench.
The striker is now entering the final year of his contract, and he feels it is time to say goodbye. Spanish news outlet Marca reports that he has informed the club of his desire to leave this summer.
However, it is hard to think that losing Diaz will hit the team hard, the challenge for Ancelotti is that he is not the only attacker seeking a new club.
Luka Jovic is also seeking a move from the Santiago Bernabeu
Serbian striker Luka Jovic has also indicated his desire to leave after an almost wasteful three years at the Bernabeu- the former Frankfurt striker cost the club in the region of £53 million pounds and has scored only three goals in 51 games across all competitions. Borja Mayoral is set to return to the club from his loan at Getafe to inform them of his desire to also leave as he enters the final year of his deal.
If Real Madrid is to allow all three strikers to leave, they would have no senior option to understudy Karim Benzema who will be 35 by December.
Though reports in Madrid suggest that the club is looking at their academy (La Castilla) for reinforcements. The club might turn to 21-year-old striker Juanmi Latasa who had a good season for the academy side managed by club legend Raul. He scored 13 goals in 30 games and for his hard work, he was given a 9-minute senior debut.
If the club decides to go to the transfer market, they would have to get one with a European passport, as they have exhausted their non-EU squad spots on the Brazilian trio of Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Vini Jr.
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