Derby County & West Brom should react to Ben Brereton Diaz update at Southampton | OneFootball

Ben Brereton Diaz is set to leave Southampton this summer, so Derby and West Brom should be in the hunt for his signature.

As the summer transfer window continues to tick down, EFL clubs will be working hard to bolster their squads before the 1st September deadline.

Just over three weeks remain before the window slams shut, but the potential remains for so many moves to take place in that time.

However, sides will be moving in a more frantic fashion to get signings over the line, with the Championship season getting underway this coming weekend, and many clubs are at risk of being short in certain departments when the first ball is kicked.

One player who is sure to be eyed up by other EFL clubs is Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz, who could well depart St Mary’s this summer, with journalist Darren Witcoop detailing on X about his future.

Ben Brereton Diaz expected to leave Southampton

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Ben Brereton Diaz, a Chilean international who spent last term on loan at Derby County, started and completed 62 minutes of Southampton’s 2-0 victory over Colchester United in the Carabao Cup, hinting at the time that his future could well lie on the South Coast.

But since then, journalist Darren Witcoop has admitted that he still expects the 27-year-old to move away from St Mary’s before the transfer window comes to an end.

After detailing how Cameron Archer could depart Southampton following the impending arrival of Manchester City forward Divin Mubama, Witcoop replied to a comment asking about Brereton Diaz’s future, responding: “Expect him to leave”.

With this in mind, FLW details two Championship outfits who should be in the mix to lure Brereton Diaz away from Southampton.

Derby County

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With Ben Brereton Diaz seemingly available for a move, one club at the top of the forward’s priority list to move back to should be Derby County, with the 27-year-old undergoing a successful loan spell at Pride Park last season.

During the 2025-26 campaign, Brereton Diaz was a shoo-in under John Eustace, featuring 40 times in the second tier, notching seven goals and three assists in the process.

Brereton Diaz’s versatility was important to him playing so many games, with the forward featuring mostly on either the left or right flanks, but also ended up leading the line, playing as a number 10 or even occuping a spot in central midfield.

Slotting in when needed, Brereton Diaz was a big part of the dressing room at Pride Park, and his attributes could well be needed once again as Derby chase promotion back to the Premier League.

The Rams have also been linked with a move for Brereton Diaz by the Derby Telegraph this window, so a deal could well accelerate in the coming weeks and is surely one that would suit all parties.

West Brom

While Derby would certainly be the favourites to land Ben Brereton Diaz, West Brom are another Championship club who should attempt to swoop in and secure his signature.

It’s been documented throughout the summer transfer window about the Baggies’ lack of options out wide, with Mikey Johnston their only recognised winger in the first-team squad after Ollie Bostock failed to make the matchday squad for their Carabao Cup first round victory over Rotherham United.

Isaac Price and Jayson Molumby deputised on the flanks towards the back end of last season under James Morrison, but there’s no question Albion need some added quality in that department.

Therefore, Ben Brereton Diaz could be the perfect option, particularly as he is able to play on either side and would add directness to Albion’s forward line.

Not to mention the 27-year-old can also be utilised as a number nine, which could be so important given the Baggies are in the hunt for a third striker to compete with Aune Heggebo and summer recruit Barney Stewart.

Brereton Diaz would surely be in line for regular minutes if he moved to The Hawthorns too, and it could be an appealing move for the attacker to make as the Black Country aim to get themselves back in the promotion mix after narrowly saving their Championship skin last term.