Blackburn Rovers faced little pressure to sell Ben Brereton Diaz - despite reports of Everton making a late move for the striker.
The 23-year-old had courted interest from a host of top-flight clubs - the likes of West Ham, Leeds United and the Toffees - following an outstanding 2021/2022 campaign in which he bagged 22 goals in 37 Championship games. Frank Lampard’s side reportedly made an approach for the Chile international just days before the window closed, with the Blues boss keen to add further strength and goals to his frontline.
Rovers had triggered a one-year contract extension to ensure they’d receive a fee for any sale, but even then remained wary of teams able to match their £20million valuation and offer the forward Premier League football. But despite those worries, Rovers director of football Geoff Broughton has revealed how the second-tier side only received a few firm bids - all of which were below £10million.
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"I had very early conversations with both Ben and his agent after starting the job," Broughton told RoversTV . "Their message was very clear throughout: that if the right opportunity came up then they wanted to explore that. But he wasn't ever desperate to leave the football club and never asked to leave. The owners set their valuation, which I felt was fair, based on players who had left Blackburn in the past and other players moving from the Championship.
"We never got an offer that was even close to that. We only had two or three clubs come in with firm offers, which all fell into the single figures for millions of pounds. I think it is really important to set a benchmark as a club, for what it'll take for one of your players to leave. If a figure comes close then I think they've got to make a decision, but when it doesn't even come close then there is no decision to be made.
"You couldn't ask for a more professional player. His focus, his desire to improve and ambition to play at the highest level - hopefully that is with us. I hope that is with Blackburn Rovers, but for him to have that aspiration to play in the Premier League, it is a worthy one to have. We have to support him in getting there. Hopefully it's with us; if not then hopefully we can help him to make that step."
Brereton Diaz is only contracted to Blackburn until next summer, with the Championship club no longer able to trigger an extension if they desire. Should he refuse to sign a new deal, he will likely be available for free next year.
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