According to reports, West Ham are one of a number of teams interested in a summer swoop for Lyon striker Mariano Diaz.
What’s the story?
Italian outlet CalcioMercato claim Diaz, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid, has grabbed the interest of both West Ham and Everton.
The 24 year-old striker started the season in fantastic form, but has lost his place to Memphis Depay and could be looking for a way out this summer.
According to the report, a bid in the region of €30million (£26.4m) could be enough to tempt Lyon to cash in.
The ex-Real Madrid man certainly deserves a starting spot, which could force him to move to the Premier League with not many teams on the continent up for the asking price.
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Good move for Mariano?
Diaz can definitely consider himself unlucky to be benched, as the young striker was in red hot form for Lyon before Memphis Depay was repositioned more centrally and took his place.
Despite only playing a combined 109 minutes across the last three matches, Mariano has managed two goals, taking his tally for the season to an impressive 21 in all competitions.
Across 43 appearances in all competitions, the 24 year-old is averaging 1.1 successful dribbles and 3.1 shots per game, so it is perhaps no surprise he is putting the ball in the net so often.
Mariano is good in the air, and his clinical finishing would certainly be an improvement to several Premier League clubs, West Ham included.
Marko Arnautovic has been enjoying life as a central striker, but if the Hammers could find a balance between Mariano, Arnautovic and the returning Manuel Lanzini, there could be some serious goals at the London Stadium next season.
West Ham fans, would you back a £26m summer swoop for Mariano Diaz? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
