Ben Brereton Diaz is set for a pre-contract agreement with Spanish outfit Villarreal.

According to Express Sport, the Blackburn Rovers forward is set to remain at Ewood Park for the rest of the campaign.

However, it is expected that he will depart as a free agent in the summer following the conclusion of his current contract.

The Chile international has been subject to intense speculation surrounding his future, especially due to being in the final year of his deal with Rovers.

But a move as a free agent is now the most likely outcome, with Villarreal closing in on an agreement with the player.

Brereton Diaz is now free to discuss his future with other clubs, with the Spanish club’s CEO Fernando Roig reportedly involved in the negotiation process.

Villarreal have looked to steal a march on rivals to win the race to the 23-year old’s signature.

It is believed that he has agreed a five-year deal to join La Liga side in the summer.

Brereton Diaz has bagged nine goals and four assists so far this season, with Blackburn currently 5th in the Championship table.

The Verdict

This will come as a blow to Jon Dahl Tomasson, but an expected one.

It comes as no surprise to see Brereton Diaz look to make a switch this summer as the opportunity to take this kind of step up is always going to be alluring.

Blackburn will also see a high value asset leave for free, which was a risk the club knew it was taking when they opted not to sell the forward last summer.

The club will be hoping he will continue to perform at his best for the remainder of the season in order to aid the team’s promotion hopes.