Nottingham Forest should re-sign £10m star in January, he left in 2019 – Opinion

Nottingham Forest should look to re-sign forward Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Spanish side Villarreal in January.

The 24-year-old left the City Ground back in 2019 to join Blackburn Rovers for a deal in the region of £7.5 million.

Ben Brereton Diaz, a striker, should be pursued by Nottingham Forest to rejoin on loan from Villarreal in January.

In 2019, the 24-year-old moved out of the City Ground to sign a contract for about £7.5 million with Blackburn Rovers.

A Brereton Diaz return to Forest?

While it could appear like a fairly strong statement on the surface, a deal for the 24-year-old in January could make sense.

Given that Brereton Diaz hasn’t had much of an effect in Spain, a loan agreement to return to the City Ground may be quite beneficial to both sides.

When it comes to bringing out the best in his players, no manager in football manages better than Steve Cooper.

The attacker needs a manager who will give him encouragement if he is to regain his confidence after only two starts in La Liga and return to the heights he shown at Ewood Park.

Given the state of the Reds’ attacking line, the 24-year-old deserves a closer look.

Although Taiwo Awoniyi has still not fully recovered from his groin issue, the Nigerian is expected to play in the AFCON in the beginning of 2024.

The Reds are severely lacking in alternatives in the attacking third as a result of injuries to Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Divock Origi.

The Reds would face competition for Brereton Diaz

Southampton, Crystal Palace and Burnley are all said to be interested in signing the forward in January, with Forest to face competition for his signature should they enter the race.

With the deal being a loan until the end of the season, the deal is risk-free for Cooper’s side.

Brereton Diaz enjoyed a successful spell in the Championship for Blackburn last season, scoring 14 times in 39 games – with the former Red more than deserving of a Premier League opportunity.

His versatility of being able to play anywhere across the frontline could be a key asset for the Reds as they look for depth in forward areas