SAINTS have reportedly verbally agreed a loan deal to see Ben Brereton Diaz return to Sheffield United for the rest of the season.

The Chilean international was purchased for £7million after netting six in 14 Premier League games for the Blades in the second half of last campaign.

Brereton Diaz, 25, also scored 36 Championship goals in his last two campaigns with Blackburn Rovers to earn his move to La Liga side Villarreal.

But Brereton Diaz has scored zero goals in 13 appearances for Saints this summer and could make an immediate return to Bramall Lane.

He has not started a league match since September and talkSPORT are reporting that Saints and the Blades have verbally agreed on a loan deal.

They add that the trade, driven by Chris Wilder, is believed to include a clause which could see the move made permanent in the summer.

Brereton Diaz scored a stunning goal just minutes into his non-competitive debut for Saints, in a pre-season friendly against Lazio at St Mary's.

However, the Stoke-born forward has failed to make a positive impact since and has been unused in the club's last five Premier League fixtures.

Brereton Diaz was named in new boss Ivan Juric's squad for the first time for Saturday's 5-0 defeat to Brentford, having previously been let out.