Valencia to place offer for Real Madrid's Mariano if they qualify for the Champions League
Valencia have already opened contact with the Real Madrid forward's agents and the player knows that an offer will arrive from Mestalla if the team finishes fourth.
Like most clubs in LaLiga, Valencia are already busy planning for next season. one of the key areas that needs strengthening in Marcelino's team is the attack - especially if the team qualifies for next year's Champions League and Director of Sport Pablo Longoria considers out-of-favour Real Madrid forward Mariano Díaz as the man they need to sign.
Both the agency which represents Mariano and the player are aware of Valencia's interest. Valencia have known since January that Mariano could be put on the market this summer. As far as Zidane is concerned, there is no place for the 25-year-old centre-forward in his plans for next season and Madrid want to recoup some of the 21.5 million euros they invested when they purchased the player from Olympique Lyon last year.
Mariano would prefer to stay in Spain
AS understands that Mariano views a move to Valencia as a positive option. Joining Marcelino's team would also give him playing opportunities he hasn't had at Real Madrid where he has made just 22 appearances in all competitions this season although some of that was down to his ongoing injury problems. He has also received offers from elsewhere in Europe but he is settled in Spain and would favour a move to another LaLiga club.
Any operation will hinge on where Valencia finish the season in LaLiga. The team currently sits fourth on 58 points - the same as Getafe in fifth and two points ahead of Sevilla in sixth. If they beat Valladolid on Saturday in the final league game of the season, they will gain direct entry to next season's Champions League. If they fail to secure fourth place and find themselves playing the Europa League, it will be almost impossible to attract the top level players who feature on their wishlist - and that includes Mariano.