West Ham tipped to strike £20m-plus Diaz deal with Blackburn after update – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested West Ham could sign Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers for an initial £20million this month.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Hammers are in a position to use add-ons in negotiations for the 22-year-old.
As reported by The Express on Thursday (20 January), David Moyes has made Brereton Diaz his top striker target this month – although Blackburn have slapped a £25million asking price on his head.
Brereton Diaz is out of contract this summer, although Rovers have the option to trigger a one-year extension.
Whelan suggested West Ham could negotiate a deal to bring the initial transfer fee down.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They can do a deal because they’re in a position in the Champions League spots. You could actually add a bonus on.
“This is a position where you can add a bonus on for a player because you are playing in Europe. That’s where your experience in transfers comes into play.
“If you are going to be in Europe and you are chasing Champions League football, you can maybe afford to add on bonuses.
“You can say: ‘Look, if he hits a certain number of goals next year in the Premier League, we’ll give another £5million. Here’s £20million right now. If he does this, there might be another little add on for Blackburn.’
“They’re in a better position to throw out these bonuses and extras, so to speak. West Ham have got a lot more to bargain with because of their position and consistency over the last couple of seasons.
“That has given them the extra strength to go out and get players.”
Brereton Diaz has scored 20 goals in 27 appearances for Rovers this season.
He also has nine caps for Chile under his belt.
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor slaughters “shocking” Aaron Cresswell and “dreadful” West Ham teammate.