Super Eagles star blocked Mariano Diaz’s exit from Real Madrid

The Dominican Republic attacker will continue at the Spanish champions for the time being despite being deemed surplus to requirement

Samuel Chukwueze’s failure to leave Villarreal has been identified as why Mariano Diaz could not complete his move away from Real Madrid this summer.

After becoming a perpetual bench warmer in Madrid, Diaz was close to sealing a move to Villarreal.

According to Relevo (via Bernabeu Digital), Diaz and Villarreal had agreed on the terms of the transfer before it collapsed because of Chukwueze.

Villarreal had identified Diaz as the perfect replacement for Chukwueze, who was on the verge of joining Everton.

Chukwueze, as per reports, had agreed to a loan switch to the English Premier League club, which could be made permanent for €45 million at the end of the campaign.

But the deal failed to materialise on transfer deadline day, as Everton instead opted to make Manchester United midfielder James Garner their eighth signing of the summer.

With Chukwueze staying back at Villarreal, Diaz is forced to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu until at least the winter transfer window. The attacker’s contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season.