Lee Hendrie thinks Blackburn Rovers will cash-in on Leeds United transfer target Ben Brereton Díaz in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old’s current contract at Ewood Park expires in the summer, but Hendrie just can’t see him staying beyond the winter transfer window, despite Rovers sitting in the Championship’s top-two, at this moment in time.
There were chances for Ben Brereton Díaz to head for the exit door in previous windows, but a move didn’t materialise.
Was it because he didn’t want to kick up a fuss? Was there perhaps interest but no concrete offer on the table? Or are Rovers trying everything in their power to keep him? Because, at the end of the day, without him, their chances of earning promotion to the Premier League are pretty slim.
One thing is for sure, he is making the ball talk, and after scoring an impressive 22 goals from 37 Championship games last season, he already has eight in 19.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie spoke about his future, and rather leave for free and possibly help Blackburn earn promotion, he thinks Diaz will be out of the door just after the World Cup is over, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (01/11/22 at 7:30 pm).
“I tell you what’s going to be really, really massive for them is keeping hold of Brereton Diaz,” said Hendrie. “I watch him in that Blackburn side, I tell you, you take him out of the equation and it’s a different side completely.
“What he brings to that team. He can drive from deep, from midfield to attack. Release pressure. They can get high up the pitch and he scores goals.
“I’d be very surprised if he is still there (in January) because I think he is coming to the end of his contract. You would expect they would want to get something out of it, unless he sticks with them and hopes they go to the Premier League.
“But I can’t see it. I think someone will come in and get him. He has been excellent. When he got injured last season, that’s when they had a real dip. I think he will go.”
LEEDS INTERESTED IN BEN BRERETON DIAZ
That win against Liverpool has certainly lifted spirits in Yorkshire, but it can all reverse back with another defeat.
One area of concern for Jesse Marsch has been the struggle to have that clinical finisher or striker in the final third.
Patrick Bamford has been injured for large parts, and since his return, he hasn’t looked the same, whilst Joe Gelhardt doesn’t get enough chances and Leeds can’t just rely on Rodrigo.
Therefore, with Leeds’ interest in Diaz, it will be interesting if they put money on the table for him in January knowing that they could get him for free in the summer, but that’s when many more clubs can take a hit on him.
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