If West Bromwich Albion want to push on in the Premier League, paying big for Lucas Teodorczyk is the statement they need to make.
West Brom’s need for a new goalscorer is well established. The question, however, is who and how much?
Salomon Rondon’s goalless streak has extended to five months while Hal Robson-Kanu has just two to his name all season. Now backed by wealthy Chinese investors, The Baggies certainly have the financial muscle to pay the odd eight-figure sum in the off-season.
But whether they should consider spending around £13 million on Anderlecht targetman Lukas Teodorczyk is another matter entirely. According to RTBF, West Brom are one of a number of sides interested in the Polish international, including West Ham, Liverpool and AC Milan.
Bean-pole
And a brief glance at his stats appears to justify that hefty price tag. In 28 games in the Belgian top flight, Teodorczyk has struck 20 times. Suddenly, Anderlecht’s decision to trigger their option-to-buy clause on the previously on-loan striker for just £3 million in March looks nothing short of a masterstroke, as reported by HLN.
They know they’ve got a serious profit coming their way.
Excellent in the air and a natural penalty box poacher, the former Dinamo Kiev striker certainly has the raw attributes to thrive in the Premier League – particularly under Tony Pulis’ typically roughhouse tactics.
However, if it’s a targetman West Brom want, they are not short of options. Calciomercato claimed last month that The Baggies are interested in plucking giant Spaniard Fernando Llorente from Premier League rivals Swansea City if they suffer relegation.
Proven Premier League option
The former Athletic Bilbao and Juventus frontman may be proven in the Premier League, netting an impressive 12 goals in 25 starts, but he is 32 years of age these days and his best days appear behind him.
Teodorczyk, meanwhile, is only now embarking on the most prolific spell of his career. If West Brom want to really push on towards the Europa League places next season, they need to take risks in the transfer market.
Expensive ones too.
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