Burnley and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Villarreal striker Ben Brereton Diaz during the upcoming January transfer window.
The 24-year-old moved to the La Liga outfit on a free transfer in the summer, following the expiration of his deal at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
Brereton Diaz was the Rovers' leading marksman over the past few years, scoring 36 second-tier goals during the last two seasons as the Ewood Park club narrowly missed out on top-six finishes.
Despite being born and raised in England, the striker's South American lineage has allowed him to become a regular for Chile, with the player making 25 appearances since his debut in December 2020.
According to TEAMtalk, Brereton Diaz could be set for a move away from Villarreal in the January transfer window after just four months in Spain.
© Reuters
The report claims that the Yellow Submarine are willing to sanction a loan move for the Chilean in the New Year, with a host of English clubs keeping tabs on the attacker's situation.
It is understood that Burnley and Crystal Palace are two Premier League outfits who would like to secure the services of the 24-year-old at the start of 2024.
Vincent Kompany's Clarets have struggled to score regularly following their return to the top flight, netting just eight goals in their opening 11 league matches.
The Turf Moor club had veteran striker Ashley Barnes leave in the summer to join second-tier Norwich City on a free transfer, meaning that Michael Obafemi, Lyle Foster and Jay Rodriguez are the current focal-point options for Kompany.
Roy Hodgson's Palace are also among the lowest scorers in the Premier League so far, with Wilfried Zaha leaving Selhurst Park to secure a switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray in July.
© Reuters
It is also believed that a number of Championship clubs are interested in Brereton Diaz ahead of the January transfer window, including Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton.
The Foxes are cantering to promotion in the second tier after collecting 39 points from their first 15 games, however Enzo Maresca's men could be targeting a long-term replacement for club legend Jamie Vardy.
With Daryl Dike and Josh Maja currently in the medical room, West Brom are in need of reinforcements at the top end of the pitch, although the Baggies' precarious ownership situation could make a move for the Chilean difficult.
Brereton Diaz has featured eight times for Villarreal in La Liga - starting two matches - but has failed to register a single goal contribution in 211 minutes of league football.
It is understood that the Spanish club would be open to letting the forward leave on a temporary basis to England in the New Year, however a permanent switch is not said to be on the cards.
Carter White
