Leeds United could revive their long-standing interest in Ben Brereton Diaz this month but it won’t be easy…
What’s the word?
According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, the Blackburn Rovers striker was someone “they explored” by the hierarchy at Elland Road during the summer window but any move before January 31st “will be tough” due to their push for promotion in the Championship.
The reliable journalist was asked who the Whites could be interested in after the transfer window reopened earlier this week, with director of football Victor Orta already swooping for his first signing in Max Wober from RB Salzburg.
Whilst it will be hard to lure the Chile international to west Yorkshire in the coming weeks, the Riversiders have previously made it clear that they would sell him for a fee in excess of £20m.
Imagine him and Gnonto
It’s no secret that the Yorkshire giants are in dire need of frontline reinforcements as long-serving forward Patrick Bamford just cannot catch a break from injuries.
Football Insider revealed that he had suffered a fresh setback in his recovery following an operation during the recent international break. The 29-year-old underwent the knife in a bid to regain fitness in time for the return of the Premier League but he’s yet to feature in either of Leeds’ three games so far.
Brereton Diaz has proven to be a prolific source of goals in the second tier over the same sort of duration that Bamford has been missing. Last campaign, he bagged 22 goals in 37 league appearances, with such form continuing this term, where he has already found the net ten times across all competitions.
And at just 23, he and current Whites teenager Wilfried Gnonto could hold the keys in the long term.
The young Italian sensation may have just made his breakthrough on Wednesday evening as he played a starring role in their 2-2 draw against West Ham United, leading to raving reviews from the members of the media, including this from journalist Tom Carnduff:
“Wilfried Gnonto looks an absolute star though. Had such a huge impact since arriving, especially when you consider it might not have happened at that stage of the window. Gave Thilo Kehrer nightmares when he switched to that side. Took his goal really well too. What a player.”
If Orta were to secure Brereton Diaz this month, then he could well provide Marsch with a mouthwatering attacking partnership, considering the former Nottingham Forest graduate has been lauded as an “extraordinary talent” by his ex-manager Tony Mowbray.
Also dubbed as a “goal machine” by journalist Alan Nixon, Brereton Diaz is also something of a creative talent as he ranks joint-first in the Rovers squad for assists (four), as well as second for key passes (one) per game and third for dribbles (0.8) per game, via WhoScored.
As such, Orta and the club’s recruitment staff must do all in their power to seal a move for the Blackburn bagsman, especially considering their past interest. He would surely be a much-needed upgrade to a dwindling striker department.
AND in other news, “One to keep an eye on” – Sky Sports man drops worrying claim on Leeds star despite Orta talks…