Saikat Mandal

Thu 8 December 2022 7:40, UK

Everton need to sign a striker in the January window, but they may fail to land their long-term target Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz.

90Min reported on 8 November that the Toffees are “long-term admirers” of Diaz and that a host of clubs are expected to move him in January.

However, Sky Sports journalist, Alan Myers suggests that the Chile striker is unlikely to leave the Championship club in the January window.

“I don’t think he will be available in January, it’s as simple as that. Blackburn are flying high, I think they are third in the Championship now,” said Myers on All Together Now podcast [6 December].

“They’re going to lose him at the end [of the season], what money are they going to get for him now, you know? So I don’t see that happening.”

The Toffees must not spend time on Diaz, and rather they should move for Boulaye Dia instead.

Tutto Salernitana reported on 28 November that the Toffees are one of four English teams showing interest in the Salernitana striker.

The forward is currently out on loan with Salernitana from Villarreal, and they have an option to make the 26-year-old’s move permanent at the end of his loan spell.

He has a £10.3 million redemption clause which can be triggered before the season ends. Salernitana can get him on board and then sell the player to the highest bidder. Apart from Everton, other Premier League clubs like Leeds and West Ham are also in the race.

Dia impressed in the World Cup for Senegal and he would be a cracking addition. While he doesn’t score in abundance, he is very impressive with link-up plays.

He is a player in his prime. The striker is consistently fit and he is also in great form – what more can Everton ask for? If they can negotiate a deal at a reasonable price, the Toffees should get this signing done.

Brereton Diaz would have been an equally brilliant addition, but he is unlikely to move. There’s no point wasting time on him when an equally better option is available.