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Leeds United approach for Brereton Diaz after Raphinha sale as concerns arise among Blackburn striker's circle
Leeds United have enquired about signing Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz “in recent days”, according to Diario AS.
The Chilean version of the Spanish newspaper reported that the Whites haven’t made a formal proposal to sign the 23-year-old, which has worried the player’s “close circle”.
It is understood that Blackburn are standing their ground amid increased interest in the Chile international with Leeds keeping an eye on him ever since Marcelo Bielsa was in charge.
That’s reportedly caused concern around Brereton Diaz as he had his contract extended by a further 12 months earlier this year when he initially could have left Ewood Park on a free transfer.
AS claims that an approach for Brereton Diaz was made by Leeds after Raphinha’s move to Barcelona went through but no further found has been made.
Do we get him?
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Brereton Diaz is in the final year of his contract at Blackburn so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not the Championship club’s stance changes as the summer progresses.
Overseas clubs will know that in January they’ll be able to make an approach to sign the Stoke-born Chile international on a pre-contract basis.
And that’ll mean that Blackburn will lose Brereton Diaz on a free.
By the time next summer comes around, the ex-Nottingham Forest man will be 24, meaning that Blackburn will miss out on the chance to earn a compensation fee for him.
They either need to sell him this summer or sell him in January – although that would come with a risk.
We doubt Brereton Diaz will sign a new contract because he must see himself as being ready to play in the Premier League after a 22-goal season in the Championship last time out.
It’s definitely worth Leeds’ time tracking this one but we do feel as though there are better options out there who may be better suited for Jesse Marsch.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are on the verge of winning the race to sign this player amid a £96,000-a-week development.