Sheffield United deal Derby & Stoke transfer blow | OneFootball

Sheffield United are closing in on a deal to bring Ben Brereton Diaz back to the club before the transfer window closes

Sheffield United have won the race to sign Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Southampton ahead of Derby County and Stoke City, according to Pete O'Rourke.

The Chile international joined Derby County on loan last season, and another exit from St. Mary’s is on the cards ahead of the 1 September deadline.

The 27-year-old featured for the Saints in their opening day defeat to Watford, coming off the bench in the closing moments.

Brereton Diaz also started the 2-0 win over Colchester United in the team’s EFL Cup first round win earlier this month.

But he has not played for Tonda Eckert’s side since, with speculation over his future increasing as we approach Tuesday’s deadline.

And, according to Sky Sports (19.57), there were three clubs in the hunt to sign the player on loan before the market closes…

Sheffield United win Ben Brereton Diaz transfer race

Action images

It's been reported that Sheffield United have won the race to sign Brereton Diaz from Southampton, as we approach the Tuesday transfer deadline.

The former Blackburn Rovers player is now believed to be preparing for a medical that will take place on Friday, ahead of confirming the switch.

The Chile international had offers from Derby and Stoke, but has ultimately opted to choose a return to Bramall Lane, where he previously spent two stints on loan.

Brereton Diaz joined Derby on loan last summer, making the switch to John Eustace’s side after Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.

He contributed seven goals and three assists, featuring 40 times in the team as the Rams narrowly missed out on a play-off place by coming eighth in the table.

The 27-year-old scored six times in 14 appearances in the Premier League for Sheffield United in the second half of 2023/24, arriving on loan from Villarreal.

And he again signed for Sheffield United in the 2025 January window, where he contributed four goals and three assists from 17 appearances in the Championship.

Brereton Diaz helped Chris Wilder’s side earn a play-off place, but defeat to Sunderland in the final ended their promotion hopes.

How Sheffield United, Stoke City and Derby County fans feel about Ben Brereton Diaz deal

Sheffield United fans are pleased to have won the race to sign Brereton Diaz from Southampton, particularly at the expense of two Championship rivals.

Wilder has received a lot of praise for his pulling power in convincing the forward that a return to Bramall Lane is the right decision.

And Stoke fans are disappointed that the club have missed out, and are quite concerned they couldn't even convince someone who is a Potters fan to join.

Derby supporters are also disappointed to lose out, and are unsure how the Rams have been unable to secure a deal to bring Brereton Diaz back after his successful spell at Pride Park last season.

Sheffield United have until 1 September to get a deal over the line, with terms now agreed with Southampton.

Action Images

Ben Brereton Diaz return is a coup for Sheffield United

Brereton Diaz previously spent two different loan spells with Sheffield United before he made the temporary switch to Derby last season, and losing out on his signature contributed to the club's decline in 2025/26.

While the Blades now have Patrick Bamford, Tyrese Campbell and Tom Cannon to choose from, the Chile international has a proven track record at this level and is also versatile enough to move out to the left flank.

Given this is another loan deal, this is a deal with plenty of potential upside for the Yorkshire outfit, who evidently need more attacking firepower after consecutive 0-0s to start the season.

He knows the club, knows Wilder and he knows the league, so this is the kind of move that should have an immediate and straighforward impact on the team.