West Bromwich Albion are keeping tabs on Östersunds FK forward Saman Ghoddos. According to recent reports, the Baggies are among a whole host of clubs looking to seal a move for the Iran international following his eye-catching Europa League performances versus Arsenal. It is being reported that scouts from West Ham United, Leicester City, Southampton, West Brom and Brighton & Hove Albion have been tracking the player as he set up both goals in Ostersunds’ surprising 2-1 second leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night in the Europa League.
Ghoddos put in a dazzling display which caught the eye in the first leg meeting between the two teams in Sweden earlier this month. His performance on the night won praise from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was quoted to have said, “Technically and tactically, I was impressed by him,”
The 24-year-old has found the back of the net four times while providing four assists in Ostersunds’ Europa League campaign this season, where they secured progression into the group stages of the competition via the qualifying rounds and to the surprise of many, qualified from the group stages to set up a date with Arsenal in the round-of-32.
It is believed that Ghoddos’ agent, Ferhat Cifici, was in London to witness his client’s encounter with Arsenal and has confirmed reports that there was interest in the player, but he refused to reveal the teams who are chasing after his client’s signature. A number of European clubs have been alerted by Ghoddos’ rapid emergence with Celta Vigo and Hoffenheim also expressing interest in sealing a move for him. Ostersunds are reportedly aware of the increasing interest in Ghoddos and are bracing themselves for offers when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the campaign.
West Brom are currently struggling in the Premier League and find themselves rock bottom of the league in 20th place with just 10 league games remaining in this campaign. The Baggies are in dire need of some favourable results in the coming weeks after another dismal showing at home versus Huddersfield Town on Saturday. It seems highly likely that Alan Pardew’s side will get relegated this season and the possible addition of a player of the calibre of Ghoddos could help them bounce back to the top tier immediately next season.
Ghoddos has featured in 14 matches for Östersunds FK this season, scoring 4 goals and creating 5 assists in all competitions. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Iranian forward and whether the Baggies can successful in luring him to ply his trade at the Hawthorns next summer.
