On Sunday, Leeds United’s season is on the line when they face Southampton in the Championship play-off final.
Leeds defeated Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final at Elland Road last week, setting up a clash with the Saints this weekend at Wembley Stadium, who beat West Bromwich Albion.
A win for Leeds would secure the final spot in next season’s Premier League at the first attempt. However, defeat would condemn them to another season of Championship football.
This 90 or 120-minute game will effectively shape Leeds’ summer. 49ers Enterprises has admitted that crucial sales will be required if they fail, with £100 million expected to be raised.
Promotion, on the other hand, would set the stage for a far more exciting summer because the focus would be on who comes in rather than who leaves.
Bent encourages Leeds to sign Ben Brereton Diaz if promoted.
Leeds have already been connected with a number of players in the event that they win promotion, including soon-to-be free agent Marius Wolf, in the last day.
Kalvin Phillips appears to be another genuine target at Elland Road, and these are the types of players Leeds would struggle to attract if they remained in the Championship.
Speaking on talkSPORT last night, analyst Darren Bent feels that all newly promoted clubs should target Ben Brereton Diaz this summer.
Brereton Diaz spent the second half of the season on loan with Sheffield United from Villarreal, when he scored a remarkable six goals in 14 games for one of the poorest Premier League teams ever.
Bent believes he is an obvious choice for any of the promoted sides due to his strong goal scoring record with the Blades.
He stated, “I like Ben Brereton Diaz.” If I were a freshly promoted side looking to move higher, he would be one to consider because of his good movement. He got six in fourteen. Almost one in two. At Sheffield United. Come on.
“He went to Villarreal, didn’t really play, and then returned to Sheffield United. He is definitely one, whether I am in Ipswich, Leeds, or Southampton. I believe he is probably too excellent for the championship.
Leeds have already been connected to Brereton Diaz.
Brereton Diaz has been associated with Leeds for several seasons, but his free transfer to Villarreal 12 months ago appears to have put an end to that.
However, the ‘amazing’ 25-year-old was rarely given an opportunity in Spain, which is why he returned to England, albeit on loan, so shortly after.
Leeds never had a realistic chance of signing Brereton Diaz in January, but according to journalist Ben Jacobs, he was already on the club’s radar for the summer.
He stated a few months ago that he is someone Leeds may pursue if they win promotion. Bent’s wish may come true if the Whites defeat Southampton.
