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Sheffield United is about to sign a long-term Whites target.
Ben Brereton Diaz, a longtime target of Leeds United, is anticipated to sign a loan with Sheffeld United after Villarreal made him available. The Star claims that the struggling Premier League team is planning to sign a striker from Chile as their first January addition.
Since joining Villarreal in the summer of last year instead of Blackburn Rovers, the 24-year-old has not had much of an impact. Diaz, who was born in Stoke on Trent, has not scored in 24 games.
Under his mother’s leadership, Diaz can play a pivotal role or function as an outfield player and is qualified to represent Chile internationally. When Diaz was on the books of Rovers, it is well-documented that the Whites made multiple attempts to sign him.
Burnley and Crystal Palace are reportedly two of Diaz’s many admirers in the top division. Prior rumours of interest in him have also been linked to West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, and Leicester City.
There were rumours last month that United was trying to pique their interest in Diaz again, and it has been reported that Villarreal is willing to send him out on loan. Yet in an effort to strengthen their Premier League roster, the Blades seem headed to sign Diaz.
League survival hopes.
Ex-Rangers man ‘hands’ in transfer request
Ryan Kent, a wings player, may be traded this month. The former Rangers player, who has been strongly linked to a move to Elland Road, is said to have filed a transfer request within six months of arriving at Fenerbache.
Since relocating to Turkey, Kent has only started one game at home. He has primarily been utilised by the Yellow Canaries in the Europa League Conference.
However, clearance has been given, allowing Kent to go during the January transfer window, according to a Sabah story that was cited by Yinag. It’s reported that Burnley, Hull City, and the Whites are keeping an eye on Kent.
In related news:
Leeds win to hammer the final nail into Rooney’s coffinLeeds needed to win after suffering two straight losses away from home, and the fixture schedule kindly sent us against Wayne Rooney’s disorganised and demoralising Birmingham City, who is the poorest team we have faced all season. At the age of seventeen, Rooney had just joined Everton and scored one of the most famous goals of his early career—a fantastic solo effort that gave his team a 1-0 victory—when I saw him play at Elland Road in 2002. However, I believe it’s reasonable to assume that he won’t have relished their encounter from yesterday as much. Throughout the game, he was subjected to a barrage of abuse, and he must have known the game was over when supporters of his own team started to join in. Since we won’t be playing them again this season, I didn’t agree with the “we want you to stay” chant, even though the majority of it was humorous. I wanted him out so that in February and March, an improved Birmingham could play Southampton and Ipswich, and this morning, my dream came true. Before the game, we were a little worried since Darlow had hurt his thumb just when he had a chance to get a few more games, and Struijk was still ailing. Klaesson would so receive his first ever start for Leeds, even though the previous season he had performed admirably coming off the bench against Wolves. The second alteration came in attack, with Rutter taking on a deeper role behind the recalled Bamford and Piroe being put to the bench. I was taken aback by Gray’s recall at right back instead of the more seasoned Spence. Rutter is unquestionably considerably more qualified for this role; it’s unclear at this point if this was a bit of a rotation or if Bamford will maintain his spot. After just eighteen minutes, Byram’s most recent comeback was over, and Firpo took the pitch, necessitating yet another change. It naturally caused us some concern, but for the majority of the match, Birmingham’s lack of strength prevented them from capitalising on his defensive errors, allowing him to do what he does best—move forward down the left side. Perhaps from too many hangovers and a case of end-of-holiday blues, the audience was a little tame for the first half hour of our performance. The only strategy Birmingham had was to sit deep and waste as much time as they could, and I feared that we could have to play another game in which we are unable to overwhelm the opposition. Our finest opportunity of the first half came when Summerville broke into the area, but his shot went straight at Ruddy, and James’ rebounded shot was stopped. They did, however, manage a promising break at the opposite end, but Rodon’s outstanding anticipation and the striker’s careless touch at the crucial moment conspired to kill the opportunity. And in the thirty-fourth minute, we finally took the lead. James was in plenty of space after a ball to the right found him, and he took advantage of the situation to chip a wonderful cross to the far post. Bamford had no trouble hitting his header on target even if the ball was slightly behind him because Birmingham’s marking in the centre was no better. Bamford’s first goal of the season ended in the roof of the net despite Ruddy’s best efforts to keep it out with his hand. Just as we were entering injury time for the first half, the second goal arrived. On the edge of the area, Summerville slipped the ball to Firpo. Our much-maligned full back reached the byline and then expertly sent a ball across the goal to find James. Ruddy had no chance when the Welshman’s hard-hit shot ricocheted off a defender’s knee. Birmingham still had time to create their best opportunity of the game before halftime. Dembele swung around and went by Grey, but Klasson made a great stop to record his first of the match, and he was subsequently praised by merely for doing so, and about every member of the Leeds team. There would be another warning as soon as the second half started if that was an indication that the game wasn’t yet over. Bacuna was placed through on goal by Dembele’s through pass, but his shot flew wide and over the bar. The official signalled a goal kick, but Bacuna thought Klaesson must have touched the ball, and just to be sure, the scoreboard wasn’t going to play back before play had resumed. It was obvious that we needed a third goal to guarantee the win, and it almost happened a few minutes later. Bamford sent the ball forward to Summerville, but the Dutchman lost possession of the ball after running into three defenders. Bamford then shot, but it struck the post. James was able to capitalise on the rebound, although he ought to have refrained from slicing his shot straight into Buchanan’s face. The defender, who really didn’t need to be in the way because it was going well wide, had to endure a hard one. In the 67th minute, nevertheless, we did manage to score our third goal. Following a superb sequence of passes in the midfield, Rutter advanced the ball to Firpo, who advanced into the area and found Summerville. Naturally, Bamford had run significantly offside, but at least possessed the awareness to narrowly avoid getting in the way of Summerville’s shot as it sailed into the net’s corner. Once the squad was victorious, Farke made the decision to give some players a little extra time to recover. Consequently, Piroe, Gnonto, and Anthony—the three goal scorers—left the pitch. Poveda was our last-minute replacement for Rutter, coming in at barely ten minutes. Firpo headed a corner that struck the post with force, giving us another chance to increase our lead. After Gnonto was fouled, the game’s last kick was a free kick from just beyond the area. Piroe may have seen what I said about slamming every free kick against the wall because he attempted something different this time. blasted it high and well wide. Anthony seems to be the dedicated set piece taker when he’s on the field, so why didn’t he have a go? The result closed the gap on Ipswich and Southampton who both drew, although both were playing away from home. We will have far more difficult games to play in the months to come, but at win’s a win, and it does at least give us a bit of confidence to build on as we move into 2024 |
