Former Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers frontman Ben Brereton Diaz is keen to return to the Premier League this summer, according to the latest reports.
The Chile international moved to Ewood Park on loan back in 2018 from Nottingham Forest, who were in the Championship at the time. The deal was eventually made permanent merely six months later for a reported £7 million fee. However, 176 appearances and 63 goal contributions for the Lancashire outfit later, Brereton Diaz left Rovers on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 after his contract expired.
His next destination was La Liga side Villarreal, although his time with the Yellow Submarine certainly didn’t go to plan. He played 20 times for Villarreal and failed to score a single goal. As a result, the Spanish club decided to send him out on loan back in January to newly-promoted top-flight side Sheffield United.
While the Blades accumulated the third-lowest points total in Premier League history, the English-Chilean showcased that he could play in the top-flight of English football as he bagged six goals in 14 appearances at Bramall Lane before returning to Villarreal once his loan spell concluded.
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Nevertheless, journalist Darren Witcoop has revealed that the 25-year-old is looking for a return to the Premier League after his showing last season in South Yorkshire. Witcoop is also claiming that newly-promoted sides Ipswich Town and Southampton are hoping to secure his services over the coming months. It is unclear whether Villarreal would be open to selling the versatile attacker on a permanent basis given he still has three years remaining on his current contract.
Writer’s View
Brereton Diaz proved to be excellent in the Championship during the latter seasons of his stint with Blackburn Rovers. However, his short-term spell with Sheffield United showcased to any future suitors that he has what it takes to play in the Premier League.
His time at Bramall Lane proved to the likes of Ipswich and Southampton that he could be a useful player in the top-flight to bolster their respective forward lines given his ability to play out wide as well as through the middle. Nevertheless, a deal for the attacker may prove costly. Brereton Diaz has a market value of £6.8 million, as per Transfermarkt, although Villarreal are likely to ask for more since he has three years left on his deal.
Deputy Head of Writing
