West Bromwich Albion were looking to sign Matej Vydra earlier this summer.
Leeds United tied up the signature of Middlesbrough forward Patrick Bamford on Tuesday, seemingly bringing an end to their pursuit of Derby County attacker Matej Vydra.
The Whites have finally found a striker to lead the line for new boss Marcelo Bielsa, with Bamford potentially set to start against Stoke City on Sunday afternoon to open the season.
Bamford’s arrival seems to finally spell the end of Leeds’ chase for Derby’s Vydra, with the Czech forward linked with a move to Elland Road for virtually the entire summer.
Sky Sports reported earlier this week that a move broke down over personal terms, and an £11million move has been scrapped, leaving Derby to keep the forward despite looking to cash in on him.
Few other clubs have been linked with Vydra, but the Yorkshire Evening Post did report earlier this summer that West Bromwich Albion were keen on him – and now is the time for the Baggies to striker.
West Brom do need to bring in another forward given question marks over the futures of Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez, as Hal Robson-Kanu is the only other recognised striker – and Vydra’s versatility to play up front or behind a striker should be appealing to Darren Moore.
Vydra did have one disappointing loan spell with West Brom in the 2013-14 season, scoring just three times in 25 games, but the former Watford man has grown and developed since then, and finished last season as the Championship’s top goalscorer.
That should remain appealing to West Brom, and having been interested in June, the time to bid for Vydra may be right, with Leeds out of the way and Derby still keen to sell in order to fund other signings for Frank Lampard.
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