Southampton are interested in a move for Villarreal attacker Ben Brereton Diaz this summer, according to a report by The Sun.
Southampton could launch a swoop for the forward over the next couple of months as they prepare for life back in the Premier League. They won promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking along with Leicester City and Ipswich Town after they beat Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final.
Brereton-Diaz, 25, is due to head back to Villarreal for pre-season after spending the second-half of the last campaign on loan at Sheffield United but his future in Spain is up in the air. He scored six goals in 16 games for the Blades but couldn’t prevent them from relegation back to the Football League.
According to The Sun, he has emerged on the Saints’ radar as they weigh up potential transfer options for the upcoming window.
Southampton eye attacker
Southampton could see Brereton-Diaz as someone to add more competition and depth to their attacking department.
He did well to score six times for a struggling Sheffield United team and could be a shrewd addition for Russell Martin’s side if they are able to get a deal over the line.
Brereton-Diaz is a Chile international with 29 caps under his belt so far in his career.
The Stoke-born man started out with spells in the academies at Manchester United and Stoke City before joining Nottingham Forest.
He went on to make 59 appearances for the Reds as a youngster and chipped in with nine goals before Blackburn Rovers came calling.
Brereton-Diaz was then a hit during his time at Ewood Park and found the net on 47 occasions in 176 outings before Villarreal came calling 12 months ago.
