AC Milan are still interested in signing Mariano Diaz from Real Madrid, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Forza Italian Football.
Diaz is one of a number of players expected to leave Real before the transfer window closes on 2 September, with Milan thought to be interested in bringing the attacker to Serie A.
AC sporting director Paolo Maldini has reportedly flown to Madrid to negotiate a deal for the striker, who has become surplus to requirements in Spain.
Diaz made just 13 league appearances for Los Blancos last term, scoring three times, and finds himself behind Karim Benzema and summer signing Luka Jovic in the pecking order at the Bernabeu.
Football Espana report that the 26-year-old has also attracted interest from Real Betis, Valencia, Marseille and Monaco, though Milan remain favourites to capture his signature.
The Dominican international didn’t feature in any of Madrid’s pre-season fixtures and saw the number 7 jersey handed to Hazard, so it’s hard to see how he has much of a future. Indeed, summer signing Luka Jovic outdid him in every attacking metric last season – as per WhoScored – making life extremely difficult for him.
With Andre Silva disappointing (offered to West Ham this summer according to Football.London) in Italy following his £33m move from Porto, Milan may need to strengthen their frontline. The Rossoneri finished 5th in Serie A last term but will be eyeing up a return to the Champions League next season.
Acquiring Diaz from Madrid would certainly act as a boost for the Italians. Despite seeing game-time limited at Madrid, he did show flashes of brilliance in a Los Blancos shirt – notably scoring a brace against Villarreal in May – and did enough while on loan at Lyon (scoring 18 goals) to earn a move back to the Bernabeu.
Has he been given a fair crack of the whip by Real? Join the discussion by commenting below…
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