West Ham to ‘make final call’ on Ben Brereton-Diaz transfer this week – report
West Ham will ‘make a final call’ on whether or not to push for a transfer for Ben Brereton-Diaz this this, according to The Mirror.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for the Chile international this month as they look to bolster their attacking options and find competition for Michail Antonio.
Brereton-Diaz has scored 20 times in the Championship this season for Blackburn as they push for promotion to the Premier League and have so far stated the player isn’t for sale.
But according to The Mirror both West Ham and Newcastle United will ‘make a final call’ on whether or not to push ahead for a transfer for the player this week, with the window entering it’s final full week.
Brereton-Diaz is expected to cost upwards of £20m, with some reports suggesting the Hammers have been quoted a fee of £28.5m [Claret&Hugh] to prize him away from Ewood Park.
Big decision
With West Ham in desperate need of added attacking options for the second half of the season as they push on for a Champions League spot, the Hammers need to think carefully.
Brereton-Diaz has been a great player for Blackburn this season but ultimately we’re talking about half a season of form. We’ve seen players go on purple patches before and then do nothing after it faded.
At just 22-years-old, Brereton-Diaz has plenty of time ahead of him in his career to become a proper Premier League player but this good be a bit too soon.
With the fact that he won’t be first-choice too, the lack of rhythm and leap in level of competition could see him struggle initially and that would just be bigger problems for West Ham.
There is a decision to make at the London Stadium for that striker role, but with Newcastle also in the mix they need to make it quickly.
In other West Ham news, Agent reveals Premier League move is ‘a dream’ for player, confirms West Ham offer in Jan