Exclusive: Phillips claims 21y/o reported West Brom target could be handy back-up option
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips does not believe that Adolfo Gaich would be the starting striker at West Brom if he moves from San Lorenzo to the Black Country.
Gaich, 21, has been linked with a move to Europe in the next transfer window with Argentine news outlet TyC Sport reporting that Albion, Inter Milan and Atalanta are keen on the 6ft 3in striker, who is nicknamed ‘The Tank’.
Ex-Baggies forward Phillips has already told West Brom News that he would like to see the club sign a “proven” Premier League striker if they win promotion but Gaich isn’t even the most experienced of strikers in Argentina, with just 27 first-team appearances and seven goals to his name at San Lorenzo.
However Phillips believes that the one-time Argentina international could be a handy back-up striker option for the Baggies.
“You’ve got to take other things into consideration like moving to another country,” Phillips told West Brom News when discussing how Gaich would settle in England.
“If that was one that was going to happen, I don’t think he’d be used as the main striker straight away.”
Gaich is a big, young striker who can act as the focal point of an attack by using his power and height.
West Brom have a striker like that already in Hal Robson-Kanu but it remains to be seen whether the Welshman will be used in the Premier League if Albion go up.
Gaich’s release clause is only £11.9million, according to TyC Sport, so he could be a cheapish addition that is seen as one for the future, rather than now.
In other West Brom news, Romelu Lukaku and Ben Foster have paid tribute to Chris Brunt on Twitter.
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