The transfer window has barely been open a week, but already Saints are being linked with a plethora of players, the latest is a striker from Spain who has Premier League experience, it sounds a good fit, but how much truth does it have.

The player in question according to footballfancast.com is Ben Brereton Diaz, the striker whose parent club in Spain is Villareal spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, but after now returning from that loan spell, it is said that he is heading out of the club again for the coming season.

Despite his Spanish signing surname, Brereton Diaz was actually born in Stoke on Trent and began his career at Nottingham Forest making 53 appearances and scoring 8 times, before moving to Blackburn Rovers initially on loan in 2018.

In his 5 seasons at Ewood Park he played 160 League games scoring 45 goals, he left the club in 2023 at the end of his contract and signed for Villarreal on a four year deal reportebly worth £35,000 a week.

But his chances in Spain were limited, in the first half of the season he would start just twice in La Liga, although he would come on as a sub on 12 occasions out of 19 possible games.

This lead to a loan to Sheffield United in January 2024 and he flourished at Bramall Lane, despite the Blades season ending in relegation, he would start 14 of the 15 games he was available for.

Playing mainly as a central striker and occasionally out wide, he would score 6 goals, a decent total on a goals per game ratio.

Although born in England he is in fact a Chilean International through his Mother and he has played 29 times for Chile, scoring 7 goals.

Having only turned 25 in April and with around 250 League games to his name and 59 goals, he has that balance of youth and experience that Saints will be looking for in this window, not mention the flexibility to operate either down the centre or on the wings.

Whether it will be a loan deal or Villarreal are looking to move him on permanently isn't yet clear, if it was to be permanent, Brereton Diaz current value is around £8 - 10 million , so it wouldn't break the bank and Villarreal having got him on an out of contract free transfer would probably not be too worried about hanging on for a big fee.

Wages would also not be a problem given the £35k he is currently said to be on.

On paper this looks a reasonable shout for Saints if as expected Che Adams leave the club in a few weeks time.

Photo: Action Images

SonicBoom added 08:27 - Jun 7 I'm really not sure we are going to survive in the PL by buying this level of player. I know paying more hasn't guaranteed success but this guy seems "average". I'm also not bothered that he is flexible and can play in other positions. I'd rather get a selfish striker who just has one job. Because if you don't score goals in the PL you are dead.
2

kenis added 11:25 - Jun 7 The missing / implied but not state piece to this story is that he had an effective and complimentary partnership with Adam Armstrong while at Blackburn. I agree it would be good to get an additional name but if we are playing 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-1 and losing Che then only having Mara, Armstrong and Stewart as options isnt enough and we could do we signing two players. (this assumes Onuachu cant be brought back into the fold / isnt fancied by Martin) Brereton Diaz as one of two new signings seems a good option but would hope the club have a list they are working down and there may be names ahead of him they are trying to get. Equally he is likely working down a list of clubs with his agent and others might be ahead of us on his list he is waiting / hoping for.

1

WestSussexSaint added 12:46 - Jun 7 How many strikers do we need who are proven at Championship level but have yet to do so in the PL? Adams, Arma, Stewart and now Bereton Diaz. If this is a replacement for Che then it makes more sense if this is alongside a striker who we are confident can cut it in the PL.
1

AmericanSaint added 16:45 - Jun 7 If we lose Che, I think he would be a good option. I watched him in several of the games at the end of the season and he is good around the box. Let's be honest, we are not going out and spending $50M on a striker and many of the $20M strikers are no better than him. He has PL experience and doesnt need time to "break-in" like many other players coming from other leagues. For the 8-10M reported fee, that is a good buy.

0

Peterx added 07:37 - Jun 10 Like him and he did score goals last year in the prem.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

AFC Bournemouth Polls