Exclusive: Sky pundit drops Southampton, Ben Brereton Diaz transfer claim - Blackburn Rovers prediction made | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing the Southampton future of Ben Brereton Diaz.

Ben Brereton Diaz doesn't appear to be featuring heavily in Will Still's Southampton plans.

The Chilean international was signed for £7m from Villarreal last summer, but has failed to make an impact at St Mary's so far.

He managed just 10 Premier League appearances for the Saints last season - all without scoring a single goal - before being loaned to Sheffield United for the second time in his career last winter.

Whilst on loan at Bramall Lane last term, Brereton Diaz netted four times and provided three assists in 17 regular season Championship outings, as he played an important role in helping the Blades reach the play-off final.

Lee Hendrie drops verdict on Ben Brereton Diaz's Southampton future - Blackburn prediction made

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie wasn't afraid to appear harsh about Brereton Diaz's struggles on the south coast, and the need for the Saints to find him a new club.

"It just hasn’t really worked for him at all," Hendrie told FLW.

"I mean, it just feels like he’s fluctuated from team to team, and it hasn’t worked since his move from Blackburn and that season that he had."

Hendrie was clear that Still has already made his mind up about the player's future.

"It’s clear he’s not involved and won’t be involved in Will Still’s plans so yes - they’ll certainly want to get rid of him somehow and somewhere," he continued.

The former Aston Villa midfielder suggested a potential return to familiar surroundings could be on the cards, "It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up going back to Blackburn, but I'm not so sure."

Still mentioned to BBC Radio Solent that he and his staff would "decide who is going to go" in regards to shaping the best possible Championship squad for the 25/26 season. The Saints are currently unbeaten in the league with a win and draw from their opening two matches.

Hendrie concluded with confidence about the timing of any potential departure by telling FLW, "I think that definitely his departure will be before the window closes."

Brereton Diaz started in the Carabao Cup against League One side Northampton Town and only managed one shot all game - which was blocked. He was substituted in the 81st minute.

With the transfer window obviously set to close in the coming weeks, Hendrie's prediction that Brereton Diaz will leave before the deadline does appear increasingly likely.

Blackburn Rovers return could be very appealing for Brereton Diaz

Brereton Diaz enjoyed his most successful spell at Blackburn Rovers.

He stayed at Ewood Park for five years between 2018-2023, with his last two campaigns as a Rovers player being his strongest by far.

In 2021/22, the versatile forward hit 22 goals in 37 Championship appearances, before following that up with a 14-goal campaign the following term, whilst also providing three and four assists across those two respective seasons too.

However, when he left Ewood Park in 2023 for Spain, it was fair to say Brereton Diaz was a shadow of his former self.

The striker didn't score a single goal for Villarreal in 20 total appearances, which led to Southampton picking him up last summer.

For both him and Southampton, a permanent move away from St Mary's will be the best opportunity to try and get back to Brereton Diaz's best - but it's unclear how much they'd want for someone who's still under contract until 2028.

With Rovers surely needing extra firepower in attack, with Valerien Ismael working with a relatively small attack force that is perhaps lacking the presence of a real marksman, Brereton Diaz could well view an Ewood Park return as the perfect opportunity to get his career back on track.