CandH Exclusive10.15 January 20, 2022
The Irons have been quoted £28.5m to sign Blackburn Rovers’ in-form striker Ben Brereton Diaz in this window.
The Stoke-born forward has dual Chile citizenship and has lit up the Championship this season with 20 goals in 27 games – earning rave reviews from Moysie’s scouts in the North West.
We are seen as viewing Diaz in a similar bracket to Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who the Bees took a punt on when they initially signed him from Peterborough for £5m in 2018.
But Blackburn’s sky-high valuation on Diaz shows the size of the task Hammers are facing in the marketplace to bolster our desperate striking requirements.
Sure, Diaz, looks a real player and certainly knows where the net is, but Blackburn are making it clear they want the best part of £30m to let him quit Ewood Park – a huge sum for a player untested in the Premier League.
Sources at Blackburn have told our North West desk the club’s owners are open to a sale this window despite them still pushing hard for promotion.
Diaz is out of contract this summer but Rovers retain the option of triggering a 12-month extension and are confident they will still be able to command top dollar at the end of the season.
Moyes and head of recruitment Rob Newman know Leeds United and Newcastle have also made soft enquiries.
A Blackburn source told Claret&H: “The owners at Blackburn are hoping to play a few Premier League clubs off against each other. They know there is a real lack of quality forwards available right now and their valuation underlines that.
“West Ham have watched a few of his games but it remains to be seen if they will bite or wait to see how the land lays in the summer.”
If Chris Wood is worth 25m (yes I know this is Saudi premium price), then is this poor value for a 22 year old? Chris Wood is 30, and rubbish. Yes, BBD is unproven and only one breakthrough season but I’d go for it.
Memories of Hugill! More interested in his style of play. Can he hold the ball up ie physically strong like Antonio? Is he a worker?
Considering Rovers are fighting for automatic promotion. 30mill seems very reasonable for a young player currently on fire at the moment. We paid 25million for Bowen, and he was unproven in the premier league. Look how this turned out, proper steal. Unforutley as soon as Newcastle get in the mixed, we are done for and cannot complete. That’s why you have to act fast, and get it done.
We payed more for Vlasic and Benrahma both unproven in the PL so it seems like a snip, if Moyes believes in him then pay the money. A few years ago we could have signed Lukaku for 28.5m he went to Everton instead because we weren’t prepared to pay it…
Please gat it done. He’s perfect for Moyse.