BLACKBURN manager Tony Mowbray has admitted that he expects teams to be interested in signing star striker Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Chilean striker was linked with a January transfer to Albion over the weekend.

Graham Potter's side are believed to be interested in signing a new striker to help relieve some of the pressure off Neal Maupay.

Brereton Diaz has been in great form this season having scored 17 goals in 22 Championship games.

However, his manager has played down reports that a move is close.

The Argus: Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz has been linked with a £20 million move to Brighton and Hove AlbionBlackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz has been linked with a £20 million move to Brighton and Hove Albion

Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I saw that, that is news to me. We’ve had no conversations with any club.

“We’ve had no contact about Brereton.

“I’d expect people to be interested in Ben Brereton, there is something wrong with their recruitment team if they’re not but we would hope Ben sees this as his platform to help the club progress and him to keep scoring and enjoying his football as much as he does.”

A move for the striker could be possible as the current owners, V H Group, of Blackburn's business has suffered in India and a sale of a star player could help the club's finances, according to Mowbray.

Mowbray has also admitted that he would not stand in the way of the 22-year-old should he want a move to the Premier League.

As reported by the Daily Mail, he said: "The club will decide, the owners will decide. The owners’ business has suffered a bit in India and Ben Brereton Diaz is doing amazingly well.

"I was a footballer for 20 years and when you are doing well sometimes you have to strike and if he can get a top, top move and earn the money in the Premier League and be a Premier League striker I would never stop him doing that.

"I would hope he stays with us and sees the season out at the very least and keeps the goals coming.

"Let’s see what January brings. I hope he’s not in a rush to leave the club, he’s not intimated that at the moment, but every player has their price."