Newcastle United were reportedly interested in signing Ben Brereton Diaz this summer.
That’s according to the Athletic, who state that Sporting Director Dan Ashworth made a phone call to Blackburn Rovers about possibly signing the forward last month.
Ashworth seemingly didn’t get much of a response from the Lancashire club, as Brereton Diaz did not move to the North East before last night’s transfer deadline.
The Magpies ended the summer with four new senior faces, including record arrival Alexander Isak. The striker cost £59million from Real Sociedad.
However, before the club decided to break the bank for him, they were looking elsewhere – particularly at the Championship.
Brereton Diaz has been linked with a Premier League move
It’s actually surprising to see the transfer window close without Brereton Diaz becoming a Premier League player.
The 23-year-old had multiple top flight clubs chasing his signature, while there was even talk of a move away from Ewood Park on deadline day.
Leeds United have been linked, and so have Fulham – two teams who spent the final day of the window trying to sign a striker. There had also been summer interest from Everton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
And now it looks like Newcastle were keen too. But instead he’s staying with Blackburn in the second tier of English football.
Would have been a risk for Newcastle amid reported interest
While it’s a surprise to see the Chile international stay at Blackburn, he would have been a risk for Newcastle.
He’s been exceptional in the Championship, and has previously been called an ‘extraordinary talent‘ by his former manager and new Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.
But has no top flight experience. That’s possibly why some teams were ultimately unwilling to pay the kind of money Rovers wanted for him.
However, there’s no doubting his ability. Brereton Diaz was incredible last season, scoring 22 Championship goals. He’s also started this season brightly too with three goals to his name so far.
But with Newcastle getting Isak instead, Toon fans will not rue missing out on Brereton Diaz. Instead we’ve made a statement signing and brought in a player who could become a genuine superstar.
The Swede has started brilliantly, scoring on his debut against Liverpool. As for Brereton Diaz, only time will tell if Newcastle or any other Premier League club should have taken a punt on him.