Real Madrid set to re-sign £23m Lyon hitman Mariano by using buy-back clause and preventing Sevilla transfer

Real Madrid are set to make a late swoop for Lyon striker Mariano, who they sold to the French club for £7million last summer.

Madrid have first refusal on Mariano after they installed a buy-back clause in the 25-year-old's deal when he moved to Lyon, allowing them to buy him back before he can be sold to anyone else.

Sevilla had wanted to sign the player, but after being informed of their firm interest Los Blancos could now prevent him joining their Spanish rivals and bring him back to the Bernabeu, according to Marca.

Mariano was let go in July 2017 after failing to establish himself in the Madrid first team under Zinedine Zidane's tenure.

Prior to that campaign, he had spent the previous seasons with Real Madrid C and Real Madrid Castilla - the club's youth sides that play in lower divisions. 

But following an impressive stint with Lyon last season, in which he scored 21 goals in 45 appearances, he has put himself back on the radar with some of Spain's and Europe's elite clubs.

Lyon had hoped to sell the player to the Premier League, believing they could demand in excess of £60m for the striker.

But following the close of the English transfer window, they had to lower their expectations.

Sevilla have reportedly made a bid of £27m plus £4.5m in add-ons, but Madrid would command 35 per cent of that fee through a sell-on clause.

Madrid believe they could acquire the player back for a fee of around £23m, or alternatively they could let him join Sevilla and take the £10m that would come their way.

The hierarchy at the Bernabeu have 48 hours to decide whether to make the move as the transfer window shuts on Friday.