Leeds United will have a ‘small window of opportunity’ to sign a 50-goal long-term target when the transfer window reopens next month, it has been claimed.
Leeds United have a ‘small window of opportunity’ to lure Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz to Elland Road, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport.
Whites boss Jesse Marsch could look to take advantage of the transfer market as he aims to strengthen his squad next month.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
Leeds transfer news – Ben Brereton Diaz
According to 90min, Leeds are long-term admirers of Brereton Diaz and could tempt Blackburn into cashing in by lodging a bid worth £10million.
The report suggests Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have sent scouts to watch the Chile international in action, while Everton, Bournemouth, Ajax, Union Berlin, Atalanta, Sassuolo and Salernitana are also showing an interest.
Although there is growing confidence that Brereton Diaz will remain with Blackburn until the end of the season, boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has claimed it would take a lucrative bid to persuade them to sanction his exit in January.
The forward is set to enter the final six months of his Ewood Park deal, meaning overseas suitors will be able to tie him down to a pre-contract agreement at the turn of the year.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke recently told GiveMeSport that director of football Victor Orta will have plans in place to find a ‘gem’ during the winter transfer window.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
What has Ben Jacobs said about Brereton Diaz?
Jacobs believes the uncertainty over Brereton Diaz’s long-term future could hand Leeds an opportunity to pounce.
The reliable journalist feels Blackburn are in a quandary over whether to cash-in on their talisman next month.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “There is a small window of opportunity mid-season just because of the contract situation.
“Any fee could tempt Blackburn. It’s a very intriguing situation because if they lose him on a free, they’ll be very disappointed. But if they take money mid-season and then it impacts their push for promotion, that also is a very risky strategy.”
Would Brereton Diaz be a good signing for Leeds?
Brereton Diaz has scored 50 goals over the course of his senior club career, according to Transfermarkt, and that emphasises how dangerous he can be in the final third of the pitch.
He has also shone this season, finding the back of the net 10 times and registering an additional three assists to put Blackburn firmly in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
It could even be argued that Brereton Diaz would be an upgrade on the current options at Leeds head coach Marsch’s disposal.
FBref statistics show the 23-year-old has averaged more goals than Patrick Bamford per 90 minutes since the campaign got underway, while he has also amassed a greater number of assists than Rodrigo, so the Yorkshire side should not hesitate in heading to the negotiating table.
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