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UPDATE: Diaz’s agent at least downplayed the idea that any move is imminent, saying he has not talked to the Sounders about the player.
After being linked to the Seattle Sounders last summer, Ismael Diaz signed with Real Deportivo Fabril of the Spanish third division. As he did in the lower division in Portugal, Diaz is tearing it up in Spain, and now he is again linked with a move to the Sounders.
Aunque no pude encontrar una segunda fuente para confirmar alguna conversación con el jugador, la información que manejó en este momento me indica que Sounders FC tiene un serio interés Ismael Díaz. El delantero panameño juega actualmente en el Real Club Deportivo Fabril. #MLS pic.twitter.com/9mMW1nrLso
— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) January 7, 2018
Diaz has six goals in his nine starts. He has yet to score in his four sub appearances. The 20-year-old has 895 minutes since his September signing. He is already a frequent call-up for Panama, earning 435 minutes with their senior national team, including appearances in their November friendlies that Roman Torres missed, as well as three appearances with a goal in the Gold Cup.
With RC Deportivo Fabril, Diaz is mostly a forward with time on both wings. The club is currently in third, and has a 10 point lead on the teams behind them challenging for promotion. They acquired Diaz on a free and his contract is reported only through June of 2018. This likely means that even if a transfer fee is necessary, it would not be substantial.
Seattle has a single international slot open at this time, as well as up to eight spots on the roster that can be filled, though they are likely to only fill five of them.