Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz linked to Betis

Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz has emerged as a transfer target for Real Betis this summer, according to a report in Marca.

While Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias remains the number one target for Betis, it is said they want at least one more frontman coming in ahead of next season.

Juanmi has already arrived from Real Sociedad while Loren Moron remains at the club, but Antonio Sanabria, Jese Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Leon are among those to depart in 2019.

Mariano, 25, netted twice in Madrid’s 3-2 win over Villarreal in May in what was only his third league start of the campaign – whilst he is thought to be a peripheral figure again next season.

He has not featured in any of the club’s three pre-season friendlies to date while Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the striker who spent the 2017/18 campaign in Ligue 1 with Lyon.

It is said that the biggest stumbling block with regards to any move to Andalusia would be the striker’s €5m annual wage.

The Dominican forward had previously netted just two goals across all competitions with game-time limited and suffering a series of hamstring injuries.

Milan were said to have asked about the striker’s availability during talks to sign Theo Hernandez from Madrid in a €20m deal but need to first offload Patrick Cutrone.

In May, Valencia were linked with a move for Mariano with Los Che said to be keen to bolster their attacking options with the possibility that striker Rodrigo Moreno will leave this summer.

Mariano was said to have been keen on a move to the Mestalla should Madrid dispense with his services, due to their participation in the Champions League, while Monaco have also been linked.

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