Everton have been heavily linked with Ben Brereton Diaz since the summer and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the Toffees transfer target.

What's the latest?

Fabrizio Romano took to his Substack page for Caught Offside to dispel rumours that Manchester United could compete with Everton for the Blackburn Rovers forward's signature in January.

Romano revealed: “Nothing concrete for the moment, the strongest interest has been from Everton, back in the summer.

“My understanding is that there is currently nothing from Man United.”

He's a Maupay upgrade

There is no doubt that Brereton Diaz would be a major coup for Everton in January as they have struggled to find the back of the net over the first half of the Premier League season so far, and with the potential for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, the signing couldn't come at a better time.

Indeed, Everton did add a little depth to their forward line after losing Richarlison this summer with the signing of striker Neal Maupay but the former Brighton and Hove Albion ace has barely lit up Goodison Park with his presence in front of goal.

Maupay has scored just one Premier League goal in nine appearances and has been unable to register any assists or create any big chances for his attacking teammates, so it would make perfect sense for Everton to make another approach for Brereton Diaz in the new year as he would be a big upgrade on the newly-signed striker.

Over 20 Championship appearances so far, Brereton Diaz has scored nine goals, registered one assist and created four big chances, as well as making one key pass and taking 3.1 shots on goal, proving that he could be the natural finisher and attacking threat that Lampard needs in the team.

The £20m-valued ace has not only been a dominant presence in front of goal this season but has been a consistent and reliable performer for Rovers over his time at the club scoring 41 goals and registering 13 assists over 149 appearances, with a goal contribution every 172 minutes.

With that being said, if the powers at Goodison Park can pull off a deal for Brereton Diaz in January it could be season-changing for Everton in their pursuit to climb the Premier League table over the second half of the campaign.