West Bromwich Albion desperately need a striker and have been linked with La Liga hotstot Cedric Bakambu but Spurs want to raid Villarreal too.
With one game left in 2017, West Brom are second from bottom in the Premier League table and only Swansea City have scored fewer than their 14 goals.
Added firepower is a must, then, if Alan Pardew is to lead The Baggies to survival in the second half of this season. But their hopes of pulling off a club-record deal for Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu may already be fading fast.
Calciomercato claimed in November that the Congolese striker was one of the strikers eyed by West Brom ahead of the transfer window and anyone who has watched him in action this season will know why.
Bakambu has nine goals in 15 games for Villarreal this season and is on track for his best ever season in Spain’s top flight. Quick, strong and ruthless in one-on-one situations, the 26-year-old appears to be exactly what the toothless Baggies need.
Unfortunately for West Brom, however, it seems Mauricio Pochettino is a fan too.
Spanish daily Marca claim that Tottenham Hotspur are closely monitoring Bakambu with the view to possibly making a move in the New Year. The release clause in his contract stands at around £44 million and while Villarreal probably know they would never sell Bakambu for such a figure, they would surely ask for around £30 million for one of La Liga’s hottest strikers.
With Financial Fair Play restrictions limiting West Brom’s spending power, it would be a major surprise if they could get anywhere near the fee Spurs may offer – not to mention the demands made by Villarreal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
