Jovic and Mariano, 85 million euros that went to limbo

Real Madrid have worked in the search for a goal since Cristiano left. The first bet was Mariano. The youth squad had a great year at Olympique de Lyon in 2017-18 (21 goals) and the white club, with Lopetegui on the bench, He exercised his right of first refusal when Sevilla wanted to do with him in the summer of 2018. He paid just over 23 million euros. It didn't work: four goals in 18 games in his first season.

That low performance it caused Madrid to return to the market the following summer. This time they noticed Luka jovic, which dazzled at the Eintracht. They bet big: 60 million euros. At the moment, the Serbian is very far from justifying this outlay: only has two goals (both last year) in the 32 games he has played. During his stay at Real Madrid he has coincided with Mariano, which has barely counted for Zidane in the last two seasons (two goals in 14 games). Between the two they add four goals between last season and what has been played of the current one, numbers that are far from what the club expected after disbursing close to 85 million for the two of us.

In fact, both have the exit door open, although in different ways. In the case of Mariano (27 years old), he is being sought (preferably transferred) since Zidane returned to the bench. There are three transfer windows (two in summer and one in winter) trying to get him out, but the youth squad refuses because he wants to fulfill his contract (until 2023). Therefore, you are not expected to change your mind in today's market. Jovic (22 years old), meanwhile, is looking for a loan. Madrid tried last summer (Zidane preferred to stay with Borja Mayoral), but no destination was found. A situation that is repeated in the market that opened less than two weeks ago: Zizou prefers that the Serbian go on loan.