West Brom scouts were listed among the many present in Lisbon on Tuesday.
The Telegraph reported last week that West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis has been given the green light to strengthen his squad in January.
The report listed Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor as one possible target, with Cologne’s Anthony Modeste also linked in the Sunday People, suggesting that left-back and centre-forward are two areas in which Pulis intends to do business.
A central midfielder is also likely to feature on Pulis’s shopping list, given the admission from Baggies director Nick Hammond at a recent assembly meeting that the club had failed to capture Malaga’s Ignacio Camacho during the summer transfer window.
As per Portuguese-based journalist, Tom Kundert, West Brom scouts were among the many to have taken in Benfica’s Champions League encounter with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
So could any of the following players be targets?
Yevhen Makarenko
Club: Dynamo Kiev
Position: Left-back
The Ukraine international has recently dislodged Portugal’s Vitorino Antunes from Serhiy Rebrov’s side and is out of contract at the end of the campaign. He would, however, require a work permit to sign for the Baggies, which will be difficult unless he adds to his three caps fast.
Ljubomir Fejsa
Club: Benfica
Position: Central midfield
The 6ft 1 Serbian could be just what the doctor ordered in the centre of Pulis’s midfield, with tackling and passing also among his strengths. He only played 59 minutes in Lisbon after picking up an ankle injury.
Serhiy Sydorchuk
Club: Dynamo Kiev
Position: Central midfield
Another imposing midfielder, only three years younger than Fejsa at 25. Sydorchuk has over a century of Dynamo appearances to his name and has been a regular for Ukraine over the past two years, winning 15 caps.
Raul Jimenez
Club: Benfica
Position: Centre forward
The former Club America striker was a target for West Ham a year ago but moved to Benfica instead from Atletico Madrid. However, despite scoring 12 goals in his debut campaign, Jimenez has started just once this term and may be forced to move on.
Kostas Mitroglou
Club: Benfica
Position: Centre forward
The Greece international is widely viewed as a flop in England, despite only playing three games for Fulham during the 2013-14 campaign. Since joining Benfica, however, Mitroglou has scored 29 goals in 57 outings and perhaps deserves another chance on our shores – providing the Eagles are willing to let him go.
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