Mariano Diaz is for sale this summer with Arsenal reportedly offered the chance to sign the Real Madrid forward for £18 million.
As Arsenal endure a difficult transfer market with limited funds, Real Madrid are splurging their way to bringing some renowned stars this summer. However, to balance the cost of acquisitions, Los Blancos need to offload some of their existing players, and one of them is Mariano Diaz. According to Daily Star, Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign the forward for £18 million.
Unai Emery is reportedly keen to sign a wide forward for next season. The Arsenal manager’s search had seemingly stopped at Wilfried Zaha, who remains the Gunners’ top target, But, his valuation is becoming an issue. Crystal Palace’s high asking price has forced the club to look elsewhere.
Quite recently Arsenal were understood to have reignited their interest in Ryan Fraser and due to Zaha’s price tag, the North Londoners might actually pursue the deal for the Scottish international. Additionally, they are also understood to hold a substantial interest in Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez, and now they have the chance to sign his teammate Maruano in a reported cut-price deal.
Initially in Real Madrid’s ranks, Diaz moved to Lyon two summers ago and impressed in Ligue 1. Los Blancos then activated their buy-back clause in his contract to bring him back to the Bernabeu. But, the player has failed to live up to the expectations thus far. Real Madrid thus, seem to have made him surplus to their requirements and Diaz is up for sale.
With Madrid requiring to balance their high spending this summer with player sales, they have reportedly offered Arsenal the chance to sign Mariano for a cut-price £18 million. The 25-year-old played 13 games in La Liga last season scoring three goals, and those stats are going to put off any potential buyer including Arsenal and Emery.
The likes of Fraser and even Vazquez have better numbers to show. But given Diaz’s cut-price tag, Emery might well be tempted to pursue a deal. Arsenal reportedly have only £45 million to spend this summer and already have a few targets to pursue. The likes of Kieran Tierney and William Saliba, as defensive targets, remain crucial to their window alongside a winger.
Whether Mariano comes across as a viable option for Arsenal to solve their requirement remains a big question, seeing as his natural position is that of a striker. The 25-year-old has shown promising signs while playing for Lyon, but failed while at Real Madrid last season.
All in all, it does look like a chance Real Madrid are taking with Mariano Diaz by offering him to Arsenal, who they know are desperate for a forward option. It now remains to be seen if a move to Arsenal sees the light of the day for the young forward.
