Derby County have renewed their efforts to bring Southampton forward Ben Brereton-Diaz back to Pride Park, with the club making a fresh enquiry about the possibility of signing the Chilean international, according to sources.
Brereton-Diaz spent last season on loan at Derby County, where he played an important role in the team’s push for a place in the Championship play-offs. Under the management of John Eustace, the forward became a key member of the squad and impressed with his performances, helping the Rams challenge for a top-six finish before eventually ending the campaign in eighth position.
During his time at Derby, Brereton-Diaz made 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. His contribution and overall impact clearly left a strong impression on Eustace, who reportedly described the 27-year-old as “terrific” earlier in the summer. The Derby manager also suggested that he would be open to the club attempting to bring the player back for another spell.
With Derby making a slow start to the new season, the need to strengthen their attacking options has become increasingly urgent. The Rams have collected just one draw and suffered two defeats in their opening three competitive matches, increasing the pressure on the club to add more quality and firepower to the squad before the transfer deadline.
As a result, Derby have now approached Southampton to explore the possibility of completing another deal for Brereton-Diaz. Their preferred option appears to be a second loan move, which would allow the player to return to a familiar environment and continue working under Eustace.
However, negotiations are currently complicated by Southampton’s stance. The Saints are reportedly unwilling to sanction another temporary move and would instead prefer to sell Brereton-Diaz on a permanent basis. Southampton are believed to be seeking around £3.5 million for the forward, whose current contract with the club runs until June 2028.
Brereton-Diaz has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter since joining Southampton from Villarreal in 2024. Over the past two years, he has made only 17 appearances for the club, finding it difficult to secure a consistent place in the starting eleven.
At the beginning of the current season, he featured for approximately an hour in Southampton’s Carabao Cup victory against Colchester and later appeared as a substitute in their Championship opening match against Watford. However, he was not included in the matchday squad for Southampton’s most recent game against Stoke, further raising questions about his long-term role at the club.
Derby’s renewed interest has therefore come at a time when the player’s future at Southampton appears uncertain. The Rams have made an initial enquiry to understand the terms and conditions under which a deal could be completed, but significant negotiations will be required if the two clubs are to reach an agreement.
For Derby, a compromise from Southampton would likely be necessary, particularly if the Championship club cannot meet the full £3.5 million asking price or remains determined to pursue another loan arrangement. Southampton, on the other hand, may need to consider whether keeping a player who is not guaranteed regular football is more beneficial than reaching a reasonable agreement with Derby.
The situation is expected to develop as the transfer deadline approaches. Derby will be hoping that their previous successful relationship with Brereton-Diaz and the player’s positive experience under Eustace can help persuade all parties to find a solution.
Meanwhile, Southampton are also expected to continue reshaping their squad, with several first-team players having already left since the end of last season and further departures potentially planned before the 1 September transfer deadline. In addition to Brereton-Diaz being linked with a move away, Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara has also reportedly attracted interest from Celtic. The Japanese international is believed not to be part of manager Tonda Eckert’s plans for the current season after spending the previous campaign on loan at German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
As the transfer window enters its final stages, Brereton-Diaz’s future remains unresolved. Derby County are clearly interested in bringing him back, but whether they can persuade Southampton to accept a loan deal or reduce their demands for a permanent transfer remains the key question.
