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Report: Club emerge in ”pole position” to sign Leeds United’s summer transfer target

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Sevilla are in the frame to land Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers ahead of Leeds United, Fulham, and Everton.

Leeds had made a late move on deadline day for the Chilean international striker, but were put off by his valuation, despite having only a year left on his contract, as per a report from David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Leeds had been in search of a forward for much of the summer window but moves to bring the likes of Brereton Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Bamba Dieng, and Charles De Ketelaere to Elland Road all failed to materialise, among other targets.

The 23-year-old scored or assisted 25 goals in just 39 games last season, and has continued where he left off so far this season, too. Scoring eight and assisting one in his first 17 games of the campaign.

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In the report from Football Insider, they claim the side sitting in second in the Championship are are now willing to listen to offers for Brereton Diaz in January rather than risk allowing him to leave for free next summer.

Due to him being out of contract in the summer, he can negotiate with foreign clubs over signing for them.

However, Wayne Veysy claims: “Sevilla are in pole position to sign him with new boss Jorge Sampaoli planning to place him at the heart of a rebuilding job in the winter transfer window.”

They believe that the former Chilean national team manager has had good reviews on Brereton-Diaz from members of the national team’s staff and squad.

They also claim that the forward is believed to be open to the possibility of moving abroad and playing in Spain but that “Everton and Leeds will continue to keep tabs on the player” and monitor his situation.

From Blackburn’s perspective, you would imagine they would prefer a domestic move in January, as opposed to a foreign move, as Brereton Diaz can negotiate for free with clubs abroad.

Leeds could be in for a bargain who could bolster their attacking line with a player who can play as a centre-forward or inside forward off the left flank. Blackburn would likely be willing to sell to the Whites instead of losing a player for no fee at all.

However, Sevilla would present a move to a club who have regularly been in European competition and that could be a difficult barrier to overcome for the likes of Leeds and Everton as well.

He is a profile which Leeds would benefit from having. He is closer to the build and type of Patrick Bamford more than any of Leeds’ other options currently. Broader shouldered and taller, and capable of holding the ball and running the channels, too.

The Chilean has to also think about what is best for him at a key age in his career, and also what will maximise his chances of further game time with the national team, so Leeds could struggle to get this one done at this stage.

Should Leeds make a move for Brereton-Diaz?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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