Leeds United remain interested in a deal to bring Ben Brereton Diaz to Elland Road next summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo, who claim that, after being heavily linked with a move for the Blackburn Rovers centre-forward in the summer transfer window, Victor Orta remains keen on a deal to bring the 23-year-old to LS11 at the end of the current campaign - when the Chile international could be available on a free transfer.

However, the report goes on to state that a host of European sides are also tracking the forward, with UD Almeria, Valencia, Celta Vigo, Sevilla and AC Milan all believed to be keeping a very close eye on the situation of the attacker ahead of a potential move of their own, while Everton are set to offer the Whites competition from the Premier League in the race for the striker.

Absolute bargain

Considering just how impressive Brereton Diaz has been for Blackburn in recent seasons, in addition to the fact that the forward had a reported asking price of £20m last summer, should Orta be able to beat off a number of Champions League competitors in the race for the 23-year-old's signature on a free, it would not only represent a huge coup for the Whites but also an absolute bargain.

Indeed, over his 37 Championship appearances in 2021/22, the £14.4m-rated talent was in sensational form, scoring 22 goals, registering three assists and creating three big chances, in addition to taking an average of 2.8 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game - with these returns seeing him average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.94.

It has been a similar story over his 14 second-tier fixtures so far this season, with the £6.5k-per-week attacker having already bagged seven goals, provided one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.2 shots - 1.1 of which have hit the target - making 0.7 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

These metrics have seen the player who Tony Mowbray dubbed "extraordinary" average a SofaScore match rating of 6.84, currently ranking him as Rovers' eighth-best performer in the Championship this term.

Furthermore, with Brereton Diaz being able to operate from the left wing or as an out-and-out centre-forward, aside from his clinical nature in the final third, the 14-cap international's impressive positional versatility also makes him an extremely attractive prospect for potential new suitors - particularly the Whites.

As such, it would appear extremely wise for Orta to do everything in his power to win the race for the Chilean sensation next summer, as it is clear to see that landing a player of Brereton Diaz's ability for nothing would represent an absolute steal.