West Brom could make an outstanding signing, Bruce called him ‘excellent’

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West Brom are eyeing up free-agent Lewis Grabban after the veteran striker turned down a new contract at Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest, as reported by The Athletic. 

Daryl Dike just can’t catch a break.

The former Barnsley ace has barely kicked a ball in anger since joining the Baggies in a £7 million deal last January. And, after playing just 12 minutes during the opening day draw with Middlesbrough, Dike is back in the treatment room, a thigh injury once again stalling his stuttering West Bromwich Albion career.

Karlan Grant started in his place during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to pacesetters Blackburn Rovers. But, despite scoring 18 goals last season, doubts persist about his consistency. Grant, meanwhile, is arguably at his most effective drifting in from the flank too, rather than playing with his back to goal and bringing others into play, a la Dike. 

Is Lewis Grabban the solution to West Brom’s biggest problem?

Bringing in free-agent Lewis Grabban, then, feels like one of those decisions that just makes sense. Especially with a lack of ruthlessness in the final third undermining West Brom’s promotion prospects.

Grabban wouldn’t cost Albion a penny in transfer fees. He knows Steve Bruce from their time together at Aston Villa. And, most importantly, he remains a prolific goalscorer at Championship level. Grabban, an outstanding professional and as fit as ever at the age of 34, scored 12 times as Nottingham Forest won the play-offs last term. 

In total, he’s found the net 112 times in 283 Championship games.

“Just at the right time, we have a striker who is bang in form,” Bruce said after Grabban joined Aston Villa in 2018, describing the silky forward as an ‘excellent’ player. 

If he was to rock up at West Brom four years on, you could almost copy and paste Bruce’s comments; A proven Championship striker arriving ‘just at the right time’. 

“To get 12 goals at Sunderland in 19 appearances, for a team that is bottom of the league, was enough for us to make a move for him. If I can say it, he is a better player than I thought he was. That’s always nice for a manager.”