Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Everton, Leeds given transfer lift as striker target Ben Brereton Diaz reaches decision on future

Ben Brereton Diaz of Blackburn Rovers, during AFC Bournemouth v Blackburn Rovers, Sky Bet Championship, Vitality Stadium

Everton and Leeds have a good chance of raiding Blackburn Rovers for Ben Brereton Diaz after the striker’s desire to move on was revealed by a report.

Brereton Diaz was deadly in front of goal last season, netting 22 goals in 37 Championship matches. This form helped Blackburn finished eighth in the second tier, six points off the play-offs.

The 23-year-old hasn’t started the new campaign as quickly as he did last season. However, he is still on two goals and one assist from five outings so far. And he could add to his tally when Blackburn travel to Bradford City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.

Brereton Diaz’s exceptional year in the Championship has seen him become a target for Premier League clubs. Everton and Leeds are the two main suitors.

Everton could do with a new striker following the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains their talisman, though his injury problems are persistent.

Salomon Rondon is the other centre-forward Frank Lampard has at his disposal. However, the Venezuelan was a Rafa Benitez buy and has only hit three goals in 25 matches for the Toffees.

Everton signing Brereton Diaz would reduce the pressure on Calvert-Lewin and help the club move away from Rondon, who clearly cannot be relied upon for goals.

But the Merseyside outfit may face competition from Leeds for Brereton Diaz. Jesse Marsch is on the hunt for a new player up front amid Patrick Bamford’s return from injury.

Rodrigo has filled in for the Englishman and done extremely well, notching four goals in three matches. Despite this, Leeds could probably do with bringing in a new striker to keep themselves away from the relegation zone and potentially push them towards a top 10 spot.

Ben Brereton Diaz wants new challenge

Sky Sports provide an update on Brereton Diaz’s future amid the links with Everton and Leeds. They claim he is ‘unlikely to pen a new contract’ at Ewood Park.

Blackburn sent the Chile international a contract offer a few months ago, with his current deal set to expire in June 2023.

But this proposal was knocked back by the player and his entourage. Brereton Diaz knows Nice, along with Everton and Leeds, are interested in acquiring him. As such, he will push to achieve a move away from Blackburn.

Rovers are willing to give Brereton Diaz a big pay rise to keep him at the club. However, this probably won’t be enough as the goalscorer knows he could be playing top-flight football.

Nice have already made a £10million bid for him, though this was rejected by Blackburn. The French side will have to match his £15m price tag if they want to strike a transfer agreement.

Sky Sports state Brereton Diaz is open to speaking with Nice as long as terms are agreed with Blackburn first.

The fact he wants to leave Blackburn is a major boost for Everton and Leeds. His stance could give them the push they need to enter negotiations over a move.

And the two English teams also know that £15m is what they will have to pay. This isn’t a massive fee in comparison with some of the big transfers that have gone through this window.

However, Everton and Leeds will have to be fast. Nice are considering whether to make a second bid for Brereton Diaz and this could result in the Ligue 1 club winning the transfer race.

Meanwhile, Everton are planning to go back in for a Paris Saint-Germain player in the coming days, according to one journalist.