Nottingham Forest have baulked at the asking price for Ben Brereton Diaz, according to TEAMtalk. The Reds are one of several clubs to have enquired about the Blackburn Rovers forward this summer.
It seems certain that the former Reds talisman will be leaving the club this month. He has no interest in discussing a new contract and appears to be keen to leave Ewood Park.
Sevilla appear to be leading the chase for his signature. Forest, West Ham, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are all in the mix but have been left disgruntled at the asking price.
Blackburn want in excess of £15 million to part with Brereton Diaz. That would mean Forest paying more than double what they sold him for in 2018.
The 23-year-old is a product of the Reds acadamy. He played 57 times for the Reds, scoring nine goals and claiming seven assists.
Last season saw Brereton Diaz really start to take the Championship by storm. He scored 22 goals and also earned a call-up for the Chile national team.
That has seen his stock rise considerably and now, he’s a wanted man with his contract set to expire in the North West.
Forest have been active in the transfer market this summer, with 16 new players recruited by the club.
Emmanuel Dennis, Taiwo Awonyi and Morgan Gibbs-White have all been signed to bolster the attacking ranks.
It doesn’t look as though they’re finished there, however, and one more forward player could be on the radar.
Forest baulk at asking price and they won’t be signing Brereton Diaz
Although the former Reds man would provide a different dynamic to Steve Cooper’s attack, he’s not particularly worth pursuing.
Brereton Diaz scored 22 times last season and has two goals to his name during 2022/23. For context, however, he’s only managed 33 goals in 131 games altogether.
Forest now have better options in their squad and if they are going to fork out another £15 million, it should be for a better player.
The Reds will actually be owed some of the fee that Blackburn receive for Brereton Diaz with a clause inserted in the original transfer.
This is a race that Forest are better off out of and a move abroad seems most likely for the striker at this stage.