Everton manager Frank Lampard has put Blackburn Rovers and Chile striker Ben Brereton Díaz’s name to the Toffees board as he looks to bolster his attacking options at Goodison Park this month, journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport.

The Merseyside club have had an interest in the out-of-contract forward since the summer transfer window.

Everton transfer news – Ben Brereton Díaz

Phillips has recently told GiveMeSport that Everton are now “pondering” another move for Brereton Díaz with the striker seen as a potentially cheap option, given the nature of his contract situation at Ewood Park.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has also spoken to GiveMeSport and backs up Phillips’ comments, however, he did state that he believes it would take “a really strong bid” to secure the signature of the 23-year-old who has bagged 48 Championship goals throughout his career.

However, Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson told LancsLive in December that the club have no intention of selling the 17-cap Chile international for a cheap price in January, though he couldn’t provide an update on his contract situation, stating: "If it's a low offer, we will say no immediately. You never know what will happen in football, I'd love for the lad to sign a contract and stay with me. I think it's difficult to see whether it will go in that direction or not. I will say what I said in the summer, Ben is extremely professional, he is trying his best the whole time."

Phillips says that a striker has been Lampard’s priority for Everton since the summer transfer window and has pressed ahead with his desire to secure Brereton Díaz’s signature this month.

What has Phillips said about Everton and Brereton Díaz?

Phillips told GiveMeSport: “Strikers have been a priority for Everton. Lampard was disappointed he didn't get one in the summer. One of those was Ben Brereton Díaz from Blackburn in the Championship.

“He's got a contract that, at the moment, is ending in June 2023, with no sign of a confirmed extension. So, Lampard again has put that name to the board.”

Would Brereton Díaz be a good signing for Everton?

Everton are in desperate need of a striker, with the Toffees currently sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone having scored just 14 goals in 18 matches so far this season.

The club’s top scorers consist of Demarai Gray (five goals), Anthony Gordon (three goals) and Dwight McNeil (two goals), with the rest of the squad being unable to hit the target more than once, according to BBC Sport.

Meanwhile, Brereton Díaz has hit 31 Championship goals over the past two seasons according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that he could be worth the gamble for Lampard, who is desperately trying to find a way to keep the Toffees afloat in the Premier League.

Therefore, it seems that the potential addition of the Stoke-born forward could be an excellent addition to the Merseyside club, as they look to add more firepower in attack this month.

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