Ben Brereton-Diaz has been in epic form for Sheffield United since he made a loan switch from Villarreal back in January. The Blades now want to sign the forward again in the summer.
Brereton-Diaz had scored zero goals in 14 appearances for Villarreal since he moved from Lancashire, thus prompting both parties to agree to a loan move to the Blades at the start of the year.
As reported by The Star, Sheffield United are open to signing Brereton-Diaz this summer, but they are under no illusions that the lure of playing Premier League football would be a big factor.
Brereton-Diaz has been in excellent form for Sheffield United
The forward has netted four goals and has provided an assist in five matches for the Blades.
His recent impact against Fulham was outstanding. The link-up play between Oli McBurnie and Brereton-Diaz was great to see. While McBurnie occupies the front of defenders and using his hold-up play, the Chilean drifts into space out wide to create a one-vs-one opportunity against a defender.
The 24-year-old has finally recaptured his form from his Blackburn Rovers days under Tony Mowbray.
Notably, the Chilean international had only scored nine goals in his first three Championship campaigns for the Lancashire outfit. But it all began to click in the 2021/22 season when Mowbray switched him from a central striker to a left-winger as part of a front three. He went on to score 36 goals in 80 Championship games from that point.
His scintillating form earned him a move to La Liga side Villarreal upon the expiration of his Rovers deal last summer. And he struggled to settle into the team. That’s certainly not been the case at S2.
Speaking to The Star after the draw to Fulham, Brereton-Diaz said: “Since I’ve been here the lads have been excellent, as have the fans and the gaffer. I’ve loved every minute here since coming in.”
He added: “I’m really happy for myself to get two but also Oli’s one as well. More importantly the team performance was good but obviously we’re disappointed as well.”
Could Sheffield United sign Brereton-Diaz in the summer?
When Brereton-Diaz was signed I wrote an analysis piece on him to see what he could bring to the team; at the time not many people were happy with the signing. In my piece I detailed the Chilean’s explosive ability which would greatly improve United’s counterattacking capabilities. And that’s certainly come to fruition.
He gives the Blades flexibility to play a front three, with him cutting inside from the left. And it gives us an opportunity to play a front two with him and McBurnie.
At Blackburn, he failed to do anything as a central striker, in a two, but I believe when he has a target man to play off of, he can do a job there – as he proved against Fulham.
But can Sheffield United realistically sign the Chilean in the summer?
The Blades are more than likely going to see a couple of players departing in the summer for relatively decent fees. Nevertheless, Villarreal will likely command an eight-figure sum for Brereton-Diaz this summer, likely ruling out a permanent move.
Perhaps Sheffield United’s best chance of getting him is likely through a loan-to-buy deal.
Plus, his form since moving to the Blades may have alerted a few Premier League clubs to him. But, there may be doubts over him due to his “hit and miss” spells over the years.
