Upon winning promotion to the Premier League in 2024, Southampton made Ben Brereton Diaz one of their main transfer coups.
In a £7 million deal from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal, the Saints originally saw Diaz as a player to partner Adam Armstrong up front in a back-five system under Russell Martin.
This decision was nothing short of disastrous, with Diaz leaving on loan in the next transfer window for Championship side Sheffield United, after failing to come up with a single goal contribution for the Saints across 13 appearances.
This summer is a chance for the club to put things right, ahead of another season in the second tier.
First on the transfer list
Southampton must make sure to remove the ‘deadwood’ this summer, and that starts with Brereton Diaz.
The 27-year-old spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Derby County, scoring 8 goals and picking up 3 assists. On face value, it was a solid campaign, but Diaz’s time at Southampton should be over.
The Chilean looked a man bereft of any confidence in a Saints shirt and was not wanted by Will Still after a poor pre-season ahead of 2025/26. This summer, the club will hope to secure a transfer fee to see Diaz go for good.
As well as not being good enough for Southampton, Diaz is not the profile they need. Not a striker nor an out-and-out left winger, it’s hard to see where he would fit in a Tonda Eckert team.
Saints must cash in
If Brereton Diaz is to be sold this summer, Southampton may face an investment loss.
Signed for £7 million just two years ago, it’s hard to see who in world football would consider paying such a hefty price for a player with little confidence.
While some players, such as Sam Edozie, have found it hard to make the grade in their time at Southampton but clearly have the potential to one day, Diaz is not quite in the same boat.
Selling him on and freeing up room to invest elsewhere will be essential for Southampton this summer, though their bigger sales will come through players like Shea Charles, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Caspar Jander.
Ben Brereton Diaz has played just 15 times for Southampton. That’s nearly £500k per match he has cost the club if you share it out. A fresh start this summer will be best for all parties.
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