Jonty Banks

Mon 19 December 2022 7:40, UK

Everton will need a “really strong bid” to lure in-demand striker Ben Brereton Diaz to Goodison Park and replenish their paper-thin forward line, according to Dean Jones.

The Blackburn Rovers striker, 23, has proven a revelation in the Championship in the last 18 months, netting 22 times last season and scoring a further nine times this campaign.

Frank Lampard’s side are long-term admirers of the Chilean forward but will face intense competition for the forward, who is entering the last six months of his contract at Ewood Park.

Former Eurosport journalist Jones is certain the Toffees are determined to bring attacking reinforcements to the club in January but will face an uphill struggle to land Brereton Diaz.

He told GiveMeSport: “Getting a new striker in is really important for them and it’s definitely something that they’re looking at.

“Brereton Diaz would take a really strong bid from Everton to get him because there is such a high level of interest around him at the moment. I know that Everton like him – that’s definitely the case.”

Go all in

Everton’s attacking issues are now starting to reach a crisis point, with Salomon Rondon the latest player to call it quits at Goodison Park, as both parties agreed to terminate his contract.

With the Venezuelan leaving the club, Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined once again, and Neal Maupay struggling to adjust to his new surroundings on Merseyside, the Toffees are majorly short of goal-scorers in their squad.

Brereton Diaz looks like the perfect antidote to their alarming lack of goals, and Lampard should go all in to gain his signature.

The Chilean striker has proven himself a handful for Championship defences over the last 18 months and is now one of the most potent finishers in the English football league.

His impressive form have appealed to several other clubs, including the likes of West Ham and Leeds United [The Sun], so a strong bid will be required to get this signing over the line.