Leeds United move for Villarreal man Ben Brereton Diaz on the cards for 2024
Leeds United could reignite their interest in Ben Brereton Diaz in 2024, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
It was reported by teamTALK in November that LaLiga side Villarreal may sanction a January loan exit for Brereton Diaz just six months after signing him on a free transfer from Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The Chile forward, 24, has yet to score in 11 LaLiga appearances – only two of those were as a starter – and Leeds, who have held a long-reported interest in him, might be tempted to make a move according to Jacobs.
“One name to watch with Leeds, which I didn’t think I would be talking about in 2024 but could still be possible, is Ben Brereton Diaz. He is a long-standing Leeds target but, obviously, moved to Villarreal at the beginning of this season from Blackburn,” Jacbos told GIVEMESPORT (3 December).
“It’s not entirely worked out at Villarreal so far, and he hasn’t scored for them despite coming off the back of 16 goals in all competitions for Blackburn and over 20 in the previous season.
“It’s been a difficult spell for him. Mid-season, by all accounts, he wants to stick it out. But, obviously, if we get to the end of the season and it’s still not working, there might be an opportunity there.”
Do they need him?
If this move would have had more legs during a busy summer window then maybe you could have understood the links, especially as Leeds were going through a transition following relegation from the Premier League.
But now they have a forward line that is the envy of the Championship, especially with Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Daniel James performing so admirably in a Leeds shirt.
The likes of Patrick Bamford and Willy Gnonto are still on the books too, so it remains to be seen if there would be a spot for Brereton Diaz – who scored 47 goals in 177 outings for Rovers.
Of course, things can move quickly. Should Leeds decide to move one or two forwards out in January then the possibility of moving again for Brereton Diaz obviously increases and it goes without saying he has the pedigree to impress. Maybe this is one to keep an eye on for now.
In other Leeds United news, Charlie Cresswell should be pushing for an Elland Road exit in January.