Mariano insists he can persuade Zidane and win back place in RM team

Real Madrid are planning for next season with the doubt as to whether they should count on Luka Jovic or not. It seems difficult to sign a striker if the Serbian does not leave. That is separate to Mariano Diaz's situation. The club said last summer that they did not need the player and the same goes for this summer. 

However, Mariano's opinion has not changed either. 'AS' insists this Saturday that Mariano does not want to move from the Bernabeu despite the fact he is aware that neither the club nor Zinedine Zidane want him to be there. 

The striker has only played 84 minutes of competitive football this season. They were split across the Spanish Super Cup and the 'Clasico' versus Barca. He ended up scoring in the 2-0 win over the Catalans. 

Despite this, Mariano remains optimistic and he is working his socks off this summer thinking that he can persuade Zinedine Zidane to give him a place in the team. His contract runs until 2023 so if he sticks to his guns, Real Madrid cannot do anything. 

The footballer's situation is a difficult one. He returned after shining at Lyon and played under Julen Lopetegui, but Madrid soon sacked him as coach. He played a bit under Solari, but since Zidane's return, he has been left out almost all the time. 

Not only the player's attitude is a problem. Finding a team for Mariano is not easy as Mariano earns 4.5 million euros a year and he will not accept a pay cut. In addition, if he leaves, the cited media outlet says that the 27 year-old striker will only go to a club which are playing in the Champions League and where he can fit in well.