Transfer Centre

Report: Real Madrid hijack Sevilla move for Lyon forward Mariano Diaz

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 28 August 2018

Sevilla president Pepe Castro claims that La Liga rivals Real Madrid are seeking to hijack their move for Lyon forward - and former Blancos player - Mariano Diaz.

Sevilla president Pepe Castro has claimed that Real Madrid are seeking to hijack their move for Lyon forward Mariano Diaz.

The 25-year-old made 14 appearances for Real's senior side in the 2016-2017 season, netting five goals in 14 appearances.

Diaz subsequently joined Lyon in the summer of 2017 and has been a hit at the Groupama Stadium, scoring 21 times in just 48 appearances.

The striker had been expected to move to Sevilla but Castro suggested that the Dominican Republic international has reneged on a transfer agreement.

"Real Madrid have a buy option they are going to exercise," Castro is quoted by The Express as saying.

"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.

"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."

Diaz has made one appearance for the Dominican Republic, scoring one goal.