Sheffield United are reportedly interested in signing Villarreal's Ben Brereton Diaz during the summer transfer window, although the striker wants a return to La Liga.
The 24-year-old is currently on loan at Bramall Lane after joining during the January transfer window for the remainder of the campaign, searching for regular first-team minutes.
Since switching from Blackburn Rovers to Villarreal on a free transfer last summer, Brereton Diaz has struggled to cement himself in the first-team thinking at the Spanish club.
The Chile international started just two La Liga matches for the Yellow Submarine in the first half of the season before being loaned out to top-flight strugglers Sheffield United in England.
Finding the net on four occasions in eight Premier League appearances so far, the attacker has adapted well to life in Yorkshire as the Blades look to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
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Brereton Diaz wants Villarreal return
According to The Sun, Brereton Diaz is clear surrounding his summer plans as the 2024-25 campaign enters its final stages for Sheffield United.
The report claims that the striker wants another opportunity to impress at Villarreal next season, preferring a spell at Estadio de la Ceramica over returning to England on a permanent deal.
It is understood that Chris Wilder's Blades are keen on signing Brereton Diaz permanently in the summer window, however such a deal could be difficult.
Sitting 10 points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest at the foot of the Premier League standings, Sheffield Utd look set for relegation to the Championship.
Having proven his goalscoring capabilities in the Premier League since his arrival at Bramall Lane in January, it is highly unlikely that the Chilean would be willing to drop down to the second tier.
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Second-tier expert
Brereton Diaz earned a high-profile move to Villarreal in the summer of 2023 following impressive performances in the Championship for Blackburn Rovers during the previous two campaigns.
The 24-year-old found the net on 22 occasions in 39 second-tier matches during the 2021-22 season, before firing in 14 goals last term for the Lancashire club.
A disappointment for Brereton Diaz was that he was unable to guide Blackburn to a top-six finish before departing to the Yellow Submarine, with Rovers ending up seventh last term under the leadership of Jon Dahl Tomasson.
The 29-time international would be a significant coup for the Blades in the Championship next season, however it is hard to envisage a world in which the striker is happy to play second-tier football once again.
Carter White
