Podcaster Conor McGilligan has expressed his disappointment as Leeds United were linked with a move for Ben Brereton Diaz.
The Whites seem to be in the market for a new attacker this summer, with Charles De Ketelaere seen as a possible target. However, he could opt to join Milan instead, as the Italian champions also hold an interest in the player.
If that is the case, it looks as though Leeds could turn their attention to the Blackburn Rovers man instead, with Football Insider claiming scouts have been watching Brereton Diaz.
In response to this update, McGilligan called the possible change in targets a ‘massive downgrade’ while speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel.
He said: “Not for me, this one. This one wouldn’t be a good signing for me.
“With the strikers that we’ve been looking at, when you’re looking at someone like CDK [De Ketalaere], if Ben Brereton Diaz, without any disrespect, was part of a tier list and he was maybe third on the list, I’d be a little bit disappointed because that is a massive downgrade, with the greatest of respect, to exactly what CDK is, really.”
Who would you prefer Leeds to sign?
Ben Brereton Diaz
Charles De Ketelaere
Someone else
TIF thoughts on Ben Brereton Diaz and Leeds…
Interestingly enough, West Ham United have also been linked with Brereton Diaz in recent times, with the Chilean said to be an alternative option should their pursuit of Armando Broja fall through, while the Chelsea man has also been linked with a move to Leeds this summer.
Last season, Brereton Diaz did score 22 league goals for Blackburn, but only two of those efforts came after the new year, suggesting a bit of a dip in form.
Clearly, McGilligan feels as though he wouldn’t offer quite as much to the Premier League outfit as De Ketalaere – who had 18 goals and 10 assists last term with Club Brugge and featured regularly in the Champions League (via Transfermarkt).
With plenty of time left in the window, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. But if Leeds do make a move for Brereton Diaz instead, we can see why some supporters might not be too happy with a ‘downgrade’ alternative to De Ketalaere.
I would rather buy a player who wants to play for Leeds rather than beg for one that clearly sees Leeds as a poor man’s choice. We need someone up front but not just anyone – I would hope we find someone with the experience and desire to win for Leeds. There is no guarantee De Ketelare would be able to simulate his previous from in the Premiership and this would be a disaster for us.