SOUTHAMPTON forgotten man Ben Brereton Diaz will be offered an escape route and a return trip to promotion-chasing Sheffield United.
The Chile forward, 25, has struggled and is out of Saints’ plans so he could be available for a move next month.
Brereton Diaz had a good spell on loan at then-Prem side Blades from Villarreal last term before a summer move to St Mary’s.
But things have not gone to plan for the striker, who is still yet to taste victory in the Premier League.
His winless run of 24 matches – 14 at Sheffield United last term and now ten so far for Southampton – is an unwanted new Prem record.
Now Blades boss Chris Wilder wants him and the new club-owners-in-waiting are willing to fund either a loan or permanent switch.
Sheffield United are looking to boost their Championship title tilt and have several targets in mind for a signing spree.
They also want promotion expert Ashley Barnes, 35, in a shock deal from Norwich.
The striker helped Burnley reach the Premier League in 2023 before heading for the Canaries but he could be on the move again.
The battle-hardened target man was back in the Norwich side in midweek.
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But he could be available and that opens the door for a short-term switch to the Blades.
Barnes’ contract is up in June and he is on big wages.
So City may want to sell him if the terms are right.
The Blades are also looking at Southampton right-back James Bree, 26.
And they could also join the bidding for Peterborough forward Ricky-Jade Jones, 22.
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