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Leeds United plot January move for Real Madrid's Mariano Diaz as Marcelo Bielsa demands striker signing
Leeds United are plotting a move for Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz, according to Spanish news outlet Fichajes.
Diaz, 28, is currently a bit-part player at the La Liga giants after re-joining the club from Lyon in 2018.
The 5ft 11in Spaniard is not in the plans of Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti after playing just once this season.
Marcelo Bielsa “demands” the signing of a new striker in January, as per Fichajes’ report, and Diaz is the name that has been put on the table.
Bielsa is said to be a big supporter of the attacker’s talents and a January deal could be in the offing.
Goals in short supply in West Yorkshire
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Leeds wowed the Premier League last season with their free-flowing football that saw them net 62 goals in 38 games, a tally bettered by just five clubs.
However, after 13 games this season, the Whites have scored just 12 Premier League goals – only Norwich City [seven] and Southampton [11] have scored fewer.
Injuries can be partly blamed for that as last season’s top-scorer Patrick Bamford has missed their last eight league games.
However, the 28-year-old endured a slow start to the season himself with just one goal in five games.
Therefore, despite the England international nearing his return from injury, Leeds would be wise to sign another striker in January.
Diaz would be an interesting addition given the lack of minutes he has accrued over the last three-and-a-half seasons.
Since moving back to Real in 2018, Diaz has made just 63 appearances and scored 11 goals, most of those outings coming from the bench.
However, the 2017/18 campaign proved that he can cut it in a top league as he scored 18 goals in 34 Ligue 1 games for Lyon.
In other Leeds United news, a Premier League rival is in talks to poach Victor Orta.