Derby County in talks to sign West Brom star and Southampton attacker | OneFootball

Derby County are in talks to sign both West Bromwich Albion's Alex Mowatt and Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz this summer

Derby County are in talks to sign West Bromwich Albion midfielder Alex Mowatt and Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz this summer, as John Eustace continues to stamp his authority on the Rams squad.

According to John Percy via X, Derby are in talks with West Brom over a deal for Mowatt, and retain an interest in Southampton forward Brereton Diaz.

The Rams reportedly tried to sign Mowatt from the Baggies last summer, but head coach Eustace was unable to get a deal across the line, as Brereton Diaz could be set for a return to Pride Park before the end of the window.

John Eustace wants to sign Alex Mowatt and Ben Brereton Diaz for Derby County this summer

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Since his arrival in February 2025, Eustace has been given the freedom to shape the Derby squad in his image, bringing in around 13 new additions last summer, whilst four faces have arrived through the Pride Park doors in the past couple of months, including two familiar faces.

The former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers head coach made his intentions clear before the end of last season to bring back his loan cohort, as with both Bobby Clark and Sammie Szmodics penning permanent deals already, Brereton Diaz could be the next in line.

The Chilean international made 40 league appearances for the Rams last time around, scoring seven and assisting three, and with seemingly no long-term future at Southampton, Derby was always going to be a potential destination for the 27-year-old.

Mowatt, aside from a loan spell with Middlesbrough during the 2022/23 campaign, has been an almost ever-present at the Hawthorns ever since his arrival in 2021 from Barnsley, with the 31-year-old amassing just shy of 170 appearances for the Baggies across all competitions since.

Now, a move to Pride Park could be on the cards for the Leeds United academy graduate, as Brereton-Diaz could follow suit sooner rather than later.

Why Derby County want Alex Mowatt and Ben Brereton Diaz

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Throughout his career as a head coach, Eustace has made a habit of signing players he has previously worked with elsewhere, as with both Szmodics and Clark added to the mix this summer, the likes of Lewis Travis, Dion Sanderson, Danny Batth, and Andreas Weimann, to name a few, have all played under the 46-year-old at multiple clubs.

Mowatt has racked up over 400 Championship appearances throughout his career across spells with Leeds, Barnsley, West Brom, and Boro, with his experience in the middle of the park something that Eustace will no doubt value extremely highly.

Brereton Diaz, following the additions of Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama, doesn't appear to be Tonda Eckert's plans at Southampton for next season, and could be allowed to leave permanently if an acceptable deal can be struck.

The Chilean has 270 Championship appearances under his belt, scoring 64 and assisting 26 across spells with Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, and Derby, and his ability to play anywhere across the front line is something Eustace surely loves.

Mowatt's addition would cover the departure of David Ozoh in the midfield for the time being, whilst Brereton Diaz would once again provide another excellent option in the final third, as the Rams look to get more business done before the deadline.

Derby County's transfer business likely won't end with Alex Mowatt and Ben Brereton Diaz

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With Mowatt and Brereton Diaz touted as the next through the doors at Pride Park, they likely won't be the last.

Eustace still may well look to add another centre-back, another midfielder, and another winger to Derby's ranks on top of this double swoop before the deadline, as a place in the top eight will be the minimum aim for the club next season.

The English head coach has done a wonderful job at Pride Park since assuming control, and having fallen short last time around, will be keen to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again this year.