Lyon have moved to deny suggestions Real Madrid have a buy-back option on Mariano after his move to the Ligue 1 side over the summer.
Mariano has made a thoroughly impressive start to the season after joining Lyon from boyhood club Madrid in a deal worth a measly €8m (£7.2m) over the summer.
His fast start to life in France has prompted suggestions Madrid would look to activate a reported buy-back clause but Lyon insist there is no such thing.
“Olympique Lyonnais wish to point out there was no repurchase clause in the transfer of Mario Diaz, contrary to some assertions made by some in the Spanish media,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“Olympique Lyonnais explained precisely the terms of the transfer in its press release of 30 June 2017, namely the transfer amount of 8 million euros plus 35% interest on the capital gain of a potential future transfer.
“Any information other than that given in the Olympique Lyonnais press release is therefore erroneous.”
Mariano, who was rested for Lyon’s 2-1 win away to Everton on Thursday, has scored seven goals in nine league appearances this season and has already gone a long way to filling the void left by Alexandre Lacazette.
In fact, only Monaco striker Radamel Falcao (12) and Edinson Cavani (8) have scored more Ligue 1 goals this season than Mariano.
