Everton continue to track £15 million summer target who has netted seven goals this season

Everton have had a shaky start to their Premier League campaign. While there is obvious improvement from last season, the attacking department still lacks fluidity and has been often toothless in game. To bolster their attacking options, the Toffees are scouting the market and the name of Ben Brereton Diaz has sprung up again.

After the first two losses, Frank Lampard’s men went on a six game unbeaten streak in the league, picking up 10 points out of a possible 18, showing major improvement signs. The two back to back losses to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur saw Everton slip to 14th in the table.

The excellent summer transfer business saw Everton reinforce their midfield and defence while making additions to the attack too. However, there still seem to be shortcomings in the forward line that need to be addressed.

Everton have scored just eight goals so far in the Premier League, better than just three teams – Wolves (4), Nottingham Forest (7) and Aston Villa (8). The injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t helped the case either. With DCL still lacking match fitness to last the entirety of the game, the Toffees are deprived of a rock solid focal point in the attack. Neal Maupay has done a satisfactory job but Calvert-Lewin has much more in the locker to offer.

Everton continue to track Ben Brereton Diaz

Dwight McNeil is still adjusting to life at Goodison and even though he has shown flashes of his skill and brilliance, he still needs to be sharper and more incisive. Come to the January transfer window, the Toffees could be open to another attacking addition. Back in the summer, Everton were highly interested in Brereton Diaz of Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn Rovers were trying to offer him a new deal in the summer but the Chilean was a wanted commodity in the transfer market.

Diaz’s deal runs out next summer and so far the Championship side has been unable to tie him down to a new deal. Blackburn wanted a fee in the region of £15 million which none of the interested teams were willing to pay. According to Sunday Mirror print edition (via HITC) (16th October, Page 75), the Toffees sent scouts to the Blackburn game against Wigan Athletic to watch Brereton Diaz.

Apart from Everton, even AC Milan are viewing Diaz as a reasonable option as the 23 year old becomes a free agent in less than 12 months’ time. Spanish sides Sevilla and Real Sociedad are also keen on the Chilean.

If Everton are to sign Brereton Diaz they will have to sign him in January but the likes of Milan, Sevilla and Sociedad have the luxury of offering him a pre-contract on January 1, 2023. The striker has netted seven goals in 15 Championship games, looking clinical in front of the goal. There’s also the possibility of his asking price dropping in January as Blackburn would want to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

Will the Toffees sign Ben Brereton Diaz in January?