Newcastle United transfer target Ben Brereton Diaz continues to lead Blackburn Rovers’ Championship promotion charge.
The Chilean international scored twice in yesterday’s 4-0 win against Birmingham City at Ewood Park.
The 22-year-old’s brace took his Championship tally for the season to 19, three behind the league’s top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Since a 7-0 drubbing against the league leaders Fulham in November, Tony Mowbray’s side have won six of their last seven games, and are up to third in the Championship, one point off the automatic promotion places.
Eurosport reported last month that the Magpies are interested in signing the Chilean, but face stiff competition from Leeds United and Southampton among other clubs.
La Liga giants Sevilla, Brighton and Burnley were amongst the clubs credited with an interest in Brereton.
Brereton is out of contract in June, and although Eurosport reported that he is still in talks with Rovers about a new deal, the Championship side face a battle in keeping hold of their prized asset, despite their promising promotion charge.
However, according to LancsLive, Rovers are aided by a one-year option in the club’s favour, an alternative they’re likely to trigger if a new deal cannot be agreed.
With three goals from nine caps for Chile, Rovers face heading into the January transfer window with a predicament on their hands.
If Brereton doesn’t sign a new deal, Rovers may decide to cash in and recoup a reasonable sum, or they could keep their star striker, trigger his extension and hope he fires them to the Premier League.
Brereton would bolster Newcastle’s survival bid
With 19 goals to his name, Brereton has currently scored more goals than the entire Newcastle team (18), so far this season.
With Dwight Gayle potentially heading for a loan exit in the New Year, Eddie Howe will be seeking further firepower to ease the goalscoring burden on Callum Wilson.
Newcastle’s Saudi-led consortium has the wealth which could convince Rovers to part ways with their prized asset in January.
A potential sweetener to ensure all parties are happy with the deal could see Gayle join Rovers to replace Brereton.
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