We look at five forwards linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion.
Odion Ighalo
Ighalo took the Premier League by storm with his impressive goal-scoring run in the first-half of the 2015/6 season. This time last year he was being linked with a move to top four teams before a sudden drop off in form left him void of confidence and now out-of-favour under Walter Mazzarri.
At 26 years old and relatively injury-free, there is still plenty of potential for Ighalo to recapture his form in front of goal. The Nigerian has been playing in stagnating Watford forward line that has also seen club captain Troy Deeney struggle to find the net. A fresh start in a firing Albion side might be enough to kick start Ighalo’s career.
Despite Ighalo’s recent troubles, Watford’s valuation of the ex-Granada man might be the biggest stumbling block to any potential deal.
Manolo Gabbiadini
If West Brom look abroad in their pursuit for a new forward, Gabbiadini seems to be the most likely choice. The Daily Mail reported that Albion had registered an interest in the 6ft 1 Napoli striker, who has scored three goals in thirteen Serie A appearances so far this season. However, it would be gamble for the Baggies to blood in a foreign player in the middle of a hard-fought Premier League campaign. With that in mind, Albion might be tempted to wait until the summer and see if Gabbiadini is still available.
Bojan
If Tony Pulis wants variety in his front-line a move for ex-Barcelona man Bojan would certainly bring that. The diminutive Spaniard might not be the best choice to lead the line with West Brom’s possession-shy approach, and would likely find himself in the same role Berahino played earlier this season, just behind the target man.
Bojan provides a neat touch and a Barca-bred elegance on the ball that would add different spark to the Baggies’ attack. The arrival of Berahino at the Bet 365 Stadium could help to accelerate Bojan’s depature, if Albion show concrete interest.
Benik Afobe
Sign a top flight goal-scorer and annoy Wolves fans in the process; there are already two good reasons to bring Afobe to the Hawthorns. The ex-Arsenal and Wolves forward, who has made 13 of his 17 appearances this season off the bench this season, has had to play second fiddle to Callum Wilson in Eddie Howe’s side. His lack of starts might be enough to tempt him back to the Midlands, but as the forward continues to score goals, including the equaliser off the bench against Watford on Saturday, there will still be a hefty price-tag on his head.
Leonardo Ulloa
After helping Leicester City to the Premier League title, Ulloa is ready to bring an end to his two-and-a-half-year stint at the club. The Argentine, who scored six goals for the Foxes last season, has handed in a transfer request after becoming frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunties under Claudio Ranieri .
The target man wouldn’t add much variety to Albion’s attack and plays in a similar role to Salmon Rondon, but his experience in English football makes him a safe option for Albion to bolster their depth for the latter stages of the campaign. Moreover, a £1.7 million bid from Spanish side Alaves – reported by Sky Sports – suggests he might be the cheapest out of these options.
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