West Brom have had a phenomenon season so far as per their yardsticks: for they are placed right below the seven current heavyweights of the top tier of English football. With 32 points already accumulated, the Baggies are placed eighth on the league table which is pretty stupendous for a team of their stature and considering the assets they have at their disposal. Despite the lack of big names, Tony Pulis has successfully derived maximum utility from his troops so far and with how things are poised, they are certainly (well, almost) not getting relegated this season.
However, they have suffered from a severe knock on their belly with the exit of their sensational striker in the shape of Saido Berahino who has been shipped to the bet365 Stadium a few days back, implying that they have an apparent void of a decent forward. Of course, they are placed in a very handsome position, but the league is far from being over. Their activities in the ongoing transfer window would hold the key as to where they would eventually end up in May.
There has been a speculation floating in the major dailies that they are aiming to sign Odion Ighalo from their fellow league rivals Watford. However, with a price tag of around £15 million which has been tied to his collar to fend away the interested buyers, including West Bromwich Albion, there is a dire need at the Hawthorns to acquire something with a prolific goal scoring knack of the Nigerian international.
The 27-year-old had a superb campaign for the Hornets the last term, creating a lethal partnership with Troy Deeney up front during the guardianship of Quique Sanchez Flores. The duo dazzled, banging goals, creating numerous chances and assists and were a serial nightmare for the opponents’ defence. However, he has failed to see his stocks rise under Walter Mazzarri and has considerably struggled to find his form, thus resulting in being only a shadow of his former self.
Nonetheless, he is still a poacher who needs to put his foot on the accelerator to get the wheels fall back on track. Pulis has always been an admirer of forwards who are obsessed with direct football, who can transact the ball sharply and quickly in the final third and is clinical in front of the goal.
Alongside Salomon Rondon, Ighalo can once again be the hitman, should the Baggies get hold of him and instil the confidence back in him to get back on form. Shouldn’t Pulis keep himself in the scheme of things for getting this popular goal-getter?
