Mariano Diaz returning to Real Madrid, claims Sevilla president

Sevilla president Jose Castro claims that Lyon striker Mariano Diaz has reneged on a transfer agreement in favour of returning to Real Madrid.

Published : Aug 28, 2018 20:01 IST

Real Madrid is set to sign its former striker Mariano Diaz, who appears to have had a change of heart over a switch from Lyon to Sevilla.

Mariano left Madrid for Lyon last year in a reported €8million deal and the Ligue 1 side's president Jean-Michel Aulas denied reports the transfer included a buy-back option last November.

The striker made a great start to life in France, scoring 18 league goals in 2017-18, but he has not found the net since April.

READ: Valencia strikes deal with PSG for Guedes return

Madrid, meanwhile, is yet to sign a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal captain joined Juventus in a deal worth €112million.

Sevilla president Jose Castro says that his club was set to land Mariano, but will now miss out on the 25-year-old. "Real Madrid have a buy option they are going to exercise," Castro told reporters.

"But, we still have no communication from the player, who has told us that he wanted to play with Sevilla again and again. He has the ability to say one thing or another."

ALSO READ: Concentrating solely on Champions League would be suicidal – Pique

"We negotiated with Lyon and then they have 48 hours to decide. Real Madrid did it. Annoyed with Real Madrid? Not at all, this is football. We have to keep working."

"We have done what we had to do, in good faith, with an agent and a player who tells us on videos and audios that he only wants to play in Sevilla."

Reports have indicated Madrid could allow Borja Mayoral to join Sevilla if it completes a deal for Mariano, but Castro is unimpressed with the compromise option ahead of Friday's LaLiga transfer deadline.

"He is one of the players we have dealt with. There is nothing to be happy about here. Another striker is coming," Castro said.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment