David Aranda has told to Marca and Cope that his client, Mariano Diaz, only wanted to join Valencia from Real Madrid this summer, after rumoured interest from Newcastle United.
Aranda sought to secure a Deadline Day deal for Diaz to move to the Mestalla, as he has no future at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti does not count on the Dominican to lead the Galacticos’ attack, with Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic available.
Diaz came within minutes of joining Valencia after contracts were agreed, but the 28-year-old’s proposed transfer just suddenly broke down. Aranda claims the move falling through caught them by surprise, but would not comment as to why the deal collapsed.
“The contracts were done between the three parties,” Aranda told Marca. “The player was excited, having understood that this was the best move for this season. But suddenly communication [with Valencia] broke off. It was a big surprise to us, but we don’t want to speculate as to why it happened. It just all stopped.”
Newcastle United also explored signing Diaz from Real Madrid during the off-season, per Jeunes Footeux in August. The Toon were very excited about a chance to sign Los Blancos’ £27m striker. But Aranda added to Cope that Valencia was the only move Diaz valued.
Aranda claims the finances involved were not the predominant factor, either, as Diaz has received lucrative offers to leave before. But the £113,000-a-week frontman – whose deal expires in 2023 – is earning less than his worth in Madrid.
“Mariano has been earning under his worth at Real Madrid,” Aranda said. “Every year, he’s had offers of a better wage. It’s not about comfort, as this isn’t his home. He’s very competitive, but that’s the way the market goes.”
Should Newcastle revive their interest in Real Madrid’s Diaz in January?
Newcastle could get another chance to sign Diaz in January if Ancelotti does not fancy him at Real Madrid. Steve Bruce will likely have to get the Toon in a strong league position to appeal to the Dominican, though.
Diaz clearly did not want to accept any transfer to secure more game time, which may be available on Tyneside. Instead, prioritising the sporting merits of the move, with Valencia striving to return to the upper-echelons of La Liga.
Yet Diaz’s potential impact at Newcastle is questionable, given his record at Real Madrid. Since returning in 2018, the forward has only scored six times in 48 appearances across all competitions. He is also yet to feature at all this season, after Ancelotti replaced Zinedine Zidane.
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