Leeds United are to contest a five-way battle for the transfer of Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz with Everton, West Ham and Brighton this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
The Whites are keen to bolster their attacking arsenal at the end of the term after a rough second season in the Premier League. Injuries have decimated their options throughout the campaign, with Patrick Bamford playing his first game since December 5 on Thursday night.
Yet despite Bamford playing just 54-minutes since September, only four Leeds players have scored more top-flight goals than his two. Raphinha leads the way with nine, ahead of Jack Harrison, Dan James (4) and Rodrigo (3). Diego Llorente has also scored two league goals.
United’s troubles getting the ball over the line has helped to place the Elland Road outfit in the relegation fight. They sit 16th in the table after 28 games, having scored just 29 goals as a team. The West Yorkshire side have also played more matches than Everton and Burnley.
Leeds battling Brighton, West Ham for Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz
Leeds now intend to target a transfer for the highly sought-after Blackburn striker Brereton Diaz this summer. But Jesse Marsch may have to keep the Whites in the top-flight to edge rival interest in the free-scoring Chile international from elsewhere in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham are also monitoring the 22-year-old’s situation with Rovers. Brighton also hope they can place themselves at the front of any queue by offering a chance to keep current loan stars Jan Paul van Hecke and Reda Khadra in part-exchange.
Brighton were among the many sides to explore a deal with Blackburn for their star striker in January, too. The Mirror reported the Seagulls were close to agreeing a £20m fee. But Rovers managed to retain their 20-goal attacker in a huge boost to their promotion hopes.
Leeds, likewise, sounded out what terms Blackburn would demand to grant a mid-season transfer for Brereton Diaz, per the Express. But former Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa refused to pay the £25m fee his Championship side set. La Liga side Sevilla also baulked at the fee.
Marsch will hope he can still guide Leeds to Premier League safety after replacing Bielsa in charge without the goals Brereton Diaz could have offered with a transfer from Blackburn. Where manager Tony Mowbray is not in short supply of praise for the Stoke-born striker.
“Brereton with the ball at his feet is an extraordinary talent,” Mowbray said, via Lancs Live. “He’s a wonderful footballer who can dribble with both feet, take people out of the game.”
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