Belenenses are planning for life without West Bromwich Albion target Mateo Cassierra, with A Bola reporting that Sporting Lisbon’s Luiz Phellype has been lined up as a replacement.
Landing Matt Clarke, Adam Reach and Alex Mowatt without spending a single penny along the way, the Baggies can probably consider this quite a successful summer thus far.
A trio of proven Championship stars have certainly strengthened Valerien Ismael’s squad, all the while ensuring that enough funds have been set aside for one big purchase with just over a fortnight remaining in the transfer window.
That ‘big purchase’ looks almost certain to be a centre-forward. And not just any old centre-forward either.
Ismael’s direct, aggressive style of football is best suited to a physical, 6ft-something number nine and, unsurprisingly, all three of the strikers who have been linked with a move to The Hawthorns this week fit that mould.
Is Mateo Cassierra the striker West Brom need?
The Express and Star claims that Manchester City wonder-kid Liam Delap and Orlando City’s Daryl Dike – who scored nine times in 14 starts under Ismael at Barnsley – have both been identified as potential additions.
Portuguese publication Mais Futebol, meanwhile, claimed on Wednesday that West Brom have entered talks over a deal for 24-year-old Colombia international Cassierra.
Tall but tricky, physical yet skilful, former Ajax youngster Cassierra scored 11 goals for Belenenses last season and, with just one year left on his contract, could be available for a cut-price fee.
What’s more, Belenenses are working hard to ensure they are not left in the lurch by the sudden departure of their first-choice number nine.
A Bola claims that Sporting Lisbon’s Luiz Phellype has been lined up as a readymade replacement.
Interestingly, it is understood that Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares is ‘prioritising’ the sale of Cassierra this summer.
With just 11 months to go before the striker enters free agency, the Primeira Liga outfit would rather cash in now while his stock is high.
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