West Bromwich Albion scouts were in Portugal again this week.
Benfica’s Estadio da Luz
West Brom’s presence in Portugal has been noted once more, this time by the Irish Sun.
The Baggies are said to have sent scouts to the Iberian nation on numerous occasions this season, with Benfica seemingly the main focus of their attention.
And though he wasn’t involved as the Premier League side carried out their latest mission, one Eagles player is sure to have caught the eye this season.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis is widely acknowledged to be seeking a new centre-forward this summer, with Salomon Rondon – his only recognised option in that position – failing to score a single club goal since December, about the same time he was linked with a big-money move to China.
And Kostas Mitroglou could be the man he is looking for, having scored 50 goals in 83 games since moving to the Stadium of Light from Fulham.
Kostas Mitroglou celebrates scoring for Benfica
Though widely perceived a flop on these shores, Mitroglou’s reputation is somewhat unfair given his scoring record everywhere else – eight in 11 for Panionios, 19 in 39 for Atromitos and 81 in 183 for Olympiacos.
And while he may be winning trophies and playing Champions League football in Portugal, there’s bound to be a part of the Greek international determined to silence his English critics, having recently entered his 30th year.
A move to West Brom could be his pathway to doing it, though they would likely have to smash their club record fee to sign him.
Benfica are said to have inserted a buyout clause of £38.4 million into Mitroglou’s contract [A Bola], which would surely require negotiating down before a move to the Hawthorns is sanctioned.
That said, with Premier League spending power at its strongest yet, the Baggies could yet spring a surprise – especially if China comes back for Rondon.
Should West Brom move for Mitroglou this summer?
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