According to Italian journalist Lorenzo Lepore, after an internal discussion at Istra 1961 about Mariano Diaz, the player will not be joining the Croatian club. According to a post by Lepore on the social network X, the transfer will not happen. Istra has not commented on the situation, and the reason for the transfer not proceeding is unknown.

Istra 1961 are close to signing 32-year-old forward Mariano Díaz, who has been capped four times by the Dominican Republic, on loan from Alavés as a replacement for Smail Prevljak. Mariano Díaz is not part of Alavés' plans, and the Spanish club hopes he can return to his previous level of performance in Pula after several seasons affected by injuries. The forward joined Alavés in August 2025 and his contract runs until June 2027. His current Transfermarkt market value is €300k.