Benfica interested in Mariano Diaz Real Madrid Initial loan deal

Benfica are keen on landing Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz during the January transfer window.

Following the sale of Raul de Tomas to Espanyol, Benfica are looking to add another striker to their squad and Mariano's difficult situation in Madrid makes him a viable option.

Mariano has struggled for game time this season, with just 44 minutes across two matches which only arrived in the semi-final and final of the Supercopa de Espana.

Benfica are interested in an initial loan deal with an option to buy the striker in the summer, according to O Jogo.

A transfer could set Benfica back 20 million euros, close to the 21.5 million euros that Real Madrid paid to re-sign him from Lyon in the summer of 2018.