Exclusive: Derby County leading race to sign Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz | OneFootball

The Rams are in pole position

Derby County are leading the race to sign Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

The Rams are keen to bolster their attacking options before the window closes and have identified the Chile international as a priority target.

Sources have indicated to Football League World that John Eustace's side are now in pole position to secure his signature.

The 26-year-old attacker is yet to feature for the Saints this season and it's now looking likely that he'll depart St Mary's before the 7pm deadline on Monday evening.

Interest mounting in Ben Brereton Diaz but Derby County lead the chase

Interest in Brereton Diaz has not been short though, with clubs across the Championship and abroad monitoring his situation at St Mary's.

However, as it stands, FLW understands Derby are firmly at the front of the queue to secure his signature.

With the transfer deadline looming on Monday evening, Derby are expected to accelerate their push over the weekend in the hope of finalising an agreement with Southampton before the window slams shut.

A busy transfer window for Southampton and Will Still

Will Still's Southampton have been busy in the dying embers of the summer transfer window with Tom Fellows, Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz all arriving this week.

Exits have also been prevalent at St Mary's in recent weeks with star duo Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes leaving for Everton and West Ham respectively.

Meanwhile, the Rams are winless in their opening three Championship fixtures and Eustace is keen to enhance his attacking department with the addition of Brereton Diaz, who would offer a versatile option with him able to operate centrally or on either flank.

John Eustace keen for a new winger at Debry County

When John Eustace was asked whether he would like a winger in the building before the close of play at 7pm on Monday, he said: "That would be great.

"But if we don't, there are no issues and we move on. The business that the club have done up to now has been good.

"You can see we're making big strides forward. I think some of the players that are coming in might have surprised a few that they've decided to join Derby County, but that's because we're doing the right things.

"They know over the next two or three seasons it's going to be a really exciting place to be.

"The club has been working really hard over the last six or seven weeks to bring in quality players at a level that can improve the squad and help develop the squad.

"If we can bring in one or two more players to help do that, that would be brilliant."

Brereton Diaz spent last season on loan in the second tier with Sheffield United where he notched four goals and three assists in 17 Championship games.

The forward made breakthrough at Nottingham Forest before establishing himself as a fan favourite at Blackburn Rovers.

His time at Ewood Park saw him develop into one of the Championship’s most dangerous forwards, hitting double figures consistently and earning a call-up to the Chile national team.