Wolves released Andre Gray as a teenager but, 12 years on, he could move to their local rivals West Brom for £20m.
That Andre Gray can now consider himself an established Premier League striker is testament to his own character and determination. The ghosts of his past may have come back to haunt him this season but Gray, as Burnley manager Sean Dyche told the Lancashire Telegraph last year, is a changed man.
He also happens to be an excellent centre-forward. After a fine debut season in English football’s top flight, his eight Premier League goals keeping Burnley out of the midst of a relegation battle, the former non-league goal machine looks set to make another step up next season.
The Sun report that West Brom are ready to splash out £20 million to make Gray their club-record signing in the summer. The likes of Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle have been linked too, but the one-time Luton Town forward would appear right at home at The Hawthorns.
Blessed with rapid pace and the ability to run behind opposition back lines, Gray would offer West Brom a much-needed Plan B and a greater degree of composure in front of goal.
However, if Wolves were already lamenting their decision to let him go at the age of just 13, as reported by The Guardian, the sight of him banging in the goals for their Midlands rivals will only pour salt into the wounds.
After all, what Wolves boss Paul Lambert would not give for a striker of Gray’s quality. Especially with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Nouha Dicko scoring three goals apiece in a combined 66 Championship games this season.
Yet, the Wolverhampton-born striker will forever be ‘the one that got away’ at Molineux. Though, with West Brom on his trail, he could still carve out a successful career in the Midlands.
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