According to TEAMtalk, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now leading the race to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton-Diaz this summer.

The Lowdown: Rovers set to cash in

The Stoke On Trent-born talent has just under 12 months remaining on his current deal at Ewood Park, and after a very successful personal campaign, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side don’t have any other option but to sell their star performer now if they want to cash in.

Several clubs have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent weeks, including Premier League sides West Ham and Leeds, but it would now appear that a switch to Molineux is the most likely outcome.

The Latest: Wolves in pole position

In an article published by TEAMtalk, it’s claimed that Wolves are at the ‘front of the queue’ to land Brereton-Diaz, with it being revealed that they are ‘ready to act’ to secure his services.

Football League World claimed on Monday that Wanderers had enquired about the forward’s availability, with the club reportedly being told that they will have to cough up £20m to get the deal done.

The source suggests that Bruno Lage is happy to meet Blackburn’s valuation, meaning that negotiations ‘could prove easy’ for the top-flight side, who now ‘lead’ the chase for their man.

The Verdict: Jimenez replacement

Striker Raul Jimenez will be out of action for at least a month after sustaining a knee injury during pre-season, so Lage making a new signing in the final third before deadline day is vitally important.

Brereton-Diaz, hailed an ‘extraordinary’ talent by his former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray, was a revelation in the Championship last term, netting 21 goals and registering three assists in just 36 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

With the five-substitute rule being reintroduced by PL officials, the Rovers gem would more than get his chance to shine in a Wolves shirt even once Jimenez returns and has all the attributes needed to become a Wanderers fan favourite in years to come.