Everton scouts watched ‘extraordinary’ striker this week after being £3m away from deal

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Everton want Ben Brereton Diaz and are understood to have scouted the Blackburn Rovers attacker against Wigan Athletic in midweek.

The Toffees were really in need of a new striker during the summer transfer window, especially after selling Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur.

Neal Maupay ended up arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion and he gives another option alongside or instead of injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Frank Lampard may still need another option moving forward though given that Salomon Rondon isn’t exactly a goal threat.

Everton want Ben Brereton Diaz

One name Everton heavily considered over the summer was Blackburn Rovers ace Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Times claimed in August that Everton were willing to pay £12million for Brereton Diaz whereas Rovers wanted £15million.

That gap wasn’t bridged before the summer transfer deadline but it doesn’t mean that Everton’s interest has come to an end.

The Sunday Mirror (16/10, p75) report that Everton sent a scout to watch Brereton Diaz in action against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.

Brereton Diaz couldn’t get himself on the scoresheet though as Wigan ran out 1-0 winners, ironically with a goal from on-loan Everton man Nathan Broadhead.

The report adds that AC Milan, Real Sociedad and Sevilla are all looking towards Brereton Diaz for a potential 2023 move.

Brereton Diaz is out of contract at the end of the season and can therefore join a foreign club on a pre-contract agreement in January.

Everton don’t have that luxury and would have to pay up in January if they want to bring Brereton Diaz to Goodison Park.

The 23-year-old has already bagged seven goals in 15 Championship outings this season as he continues his fine form.

This comes after Brereton Diaz hit 22 goals in 37 Championship games last season, thriving both out wide and up front.

Everton may well see Brereton Diaz – who has been described as ‘extraordinary’ by Tony Mowbray – as a bargain January addition, but they will face lofty competition for his signature.