Leeds United are believed to have made an enquiry regarding the signing of Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz, as the club’s search for a new centre-forward continues.
What’s the word?
According to AS, the Elland Road outfit have made contact regarding a move for the 23-year-old this summer, albeit with the report suggesting that no formal offer has been made for the Chile international as yet by any club.
The 14-cap gem – who is also said to be of interest to West Ham United – is reportedly available for a fee of around £20m in the current window, even though he has only a year remaining on his existing deal at Ewood Park.
That potential price tag is believed to have put off any potential suitors thus far, despite the former Nottingham Forest man attracting a lot of attention following his impressive displays for both club and country.
“Extraordinary”
The Stoke-born marksman has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 18 months or so, emerging as something of a cult hero in Chile after making a bright start to life at international level for La Roja, while also starring in the Championship.
The £14.4m-rated sensation netted a stunning 22 goals and provided three assists in just 37 league games in a remarkable goalscoring spree last season, with that tally leaving him behind only Dominic Solanke (29) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (43) in the second tier’s goalscoring charts.
That prolific spell has also seen him dubbed “extraordinary” by former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, while Jaquob Crooke has labelled him a “superstar” for his explosive breakout form of late, with a step up into the Premier League seemingly a natural progression.
As for the Yorkshire side, manager Jesse Marsch could well do with a player of his talents leading the line, having been left with a dearth of attacking options due to the ongoing injury problems involving Patrick Bamford.
The 28-year-old was restricted to just nine appearances in the top-flight last term due to his lengthy spells on the sidelines, with that absence ultimately playing its part in the club’s woes, as the lack of another senior option up top left the Whites noticeably short on alternatives.
Bringing in Brereton Diaz would then add increased competition for Bamford as well as provide a figure who could also potentially usurp the Englishman, with it no doubt time to shoulder the goalscoring burden on the former Chelsea man.
AND in other news: Victor Orta plotting Leeds bid for “formidable” £19m sensation, he’s “one of the best”
