Spanish outlet Defensa Central claim Leeds United have tabled a pre-contract offer to sign Real Madrid attacker Mariano Diaz on a free transfer this summer – with the report claiming Leeds are willing to pay him £77,000 a week.
Diaz, 29, is set to leave Madrid this summer on a free transfer with his contract due to end in June. He has managed just nine outings for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, coming on in their most-recent La Liga fixture against Girona as a sub.
Of Madrid’s 50 games this season, he has featured in nine, failed to make the matchday squad in a further nine – and remained an unused sub 32 times. Madrid do not want to renew his current deal, and he will go on a free.
Leeds have been linked with Diaz in the past and now, he is available for nothing. The report claims that two clubs have made Diaz an offer – Leeds, and La Liga side Getafe. Diaz has a big decision to make surrounding his future.
Indeed, Getafe would allow him to remain in Madrid. But they are unwilling to match even half of his £77k-a-week wages at the Bernabeu. Leeds, meanwhile, are willing to match his current wage – in order to lure him to England.
Leeds table pre-contract offer to sign Real Madrid attacker Mariano Diaz
Of course, any move to Leeds would hinge on the club surviving in the Premier League and right now, that looks unlikely. Forest’s 3-1 win over Brighton was a shock, but it sees Forest climb out of the bottom three, level with us.
Leeds have a tough run in, too. Bournemouth away this weekend is massive, before taking on the likes of Man City, West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham. While still in 16th, survival looks like a really tall order. But, it is in our hands.