Everton manager Frank Lampard wants to the club sign Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz in the summer, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Brereton Diaz linked with Everton

The Chile international has arguably become one of the best attacking players in the Championship, scoring nine goals and supplying four assists in the division this season off the back of netting 22 times in the league last term.

Brereton Diaz has been linked with a January move to Everton, although the transfer is yet to materialise, and it may be a tough one to get over the line.

Nonetheless, it looks as though the striker will continue to be a target for the Toffees, with the manager seemingly making his desire for the move very clear.

The Latest: Lampard goes to the board

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Phillips said that Lampard sees Brereton Diaz as a strong summer target and has informed the Everton board that he wants the 23-year-old at Goodison Park.

The journalist said:

"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."

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The Verdict: Will Lampard even be at Everton?

Brereton Diaz has the potential to be a good signing by Everton, having scored four goals in 17 caps for Chile and netted 48 times in the Championship to date, also being called 'amazing' by his former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray.

The only slight question mark surrounding a summer move for him is whether or not Lampard is even in charge at that point, with the 44-year-old clearly a big advocate of the transfer judging by Phillips' claims.

The Everton boss is reportedly close to being sacked with his team in the Premier League relegation zone, and should that happen, a future move for Brereton Diaz could depend on whether or not Lampard's successor rates the 23-year-old as highly.

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