Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz has made a meager two substitute appearances in the 2019-2020 season, so it’s a foregone conclusion that he will be loaned elsewhere this January.
Mariano Diaz flashed potential last season in a Real Madrid jersey after rejoining the team from a successful loan spell with Ligue 1’s Lyon, but he’s found it nearly impossible to make an impact in the 2019-2020 season.
The 26-year-old striker has played a grand total of zero minutes in La Liga, with his lone substitute appearances coming recently at the tail end of wins over Valencia and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Supercup. Mariano worked as hard as he could to make an impression in both games, as the dirt on his kit could attest.
However, Mariano’s gifts are stuck sitting on the bench, which means a loan deal is almost certain this winter, with an outright transfer not necessarily being out of the question either.
According to a recent report from O Jogo in Portugal, via MARCA, Benfica are interested in acquiring Mariano on a loan deal with an option to buy this summer.
Several teams interested in a striker, such as the Bundesliga’s FC Schalke 04, have looked at Mariano as a top option on loan. Benfica have already signed a talented defensive midfielder in Julian Weigl this winter from Borussia Dortmund, so their interest in Mariano shows clear ambitions from the Portuguese powerhouse.
Mariano’s rumored transfer fee from Benfica would be 20 million euros, which would allow Real Madrid to recoup most of their losses. But that fee would likely only occur on a loan with an option to buy, provided Mariano impresses at Benfica if a loan deal is completed.
There seems to be real potential with this fit for Mariano, so keep an eye on more rumors linking Benfica to the talented forward.