Real Madrid News
Official: Mariano leaves Real Madrid on a free transfer
Real Madrid have already announced their second departure of the day, confirming Mariano Diaz will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Dominican Republic international joined Madrid as a youngster seven years ago, but left for Olympique Lyonnais in 2017. He made 34 appearances for Lyon in 2017/18, scoring 18 goals and giving four assists.
He was brought back after this impressive season, but his tenure at Real Madrid has gone far from what they expected or planned.
Now in his fifth season after rejoining, he has scored a grand total of six goals, which includes none this season. He does have an El Clasico goal to his name, though, when he came on for Karim Benzema in the last minute in 2019/20, scoring one goal in one minute.
Madrid have already parted with Marco Asensio on a free transfer this season, who is set to join PSG on a Bosman move once his contract clocks up in a month.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
