Espanyol considering January move for Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz

Espanyol have emerged as the latest side to be linked with a January move for Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz.

The Dominican Republican international has been told he his surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Zinedine Zidane open to a mid season exit for the 26-year old.

Diaz has been linked with clubs in Italy and Spain after not making a single first team appearance so far this season, despite assurances from Zidane in the summer that he would feature.

Pablo Machin's side remain rooted to the bottom of the La Liga table, and they are in desperate need of goal scoring replacement for Borja Iglesias, who left for Real Betis ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

According to reports in Mundo Deportivo, they have identified Diaz as a potential option, provided Real Madrid consider lowering their asking price from €20M to under €10M.

Diaz returned to Real Madrid as part of a buy back option in 2018, after scoring 18 Ligue 1 goals with Lyon in 2017-18, however his second spell in the Spanish capital has failed to ignite, and he looks increasingly likely to leave next month.

La Liga - Club News