Club ready to loan £70k/wk striker to West Brom, talks begin – report
West Brom have held talks with Watford over a loan move for striker Andre Gray, according to a report in the Express and Star.
However, West Brom will only make a move for Gray, 29, if they are unable to bring top target Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant to the Hawthorns.
While Grant is a key target for the Baggies, Huddersfield are standing firm on their £16m valuation, despite the player being said to be keen on the move.
Following last week’s permanent signing of Grady Diangana, West Brom may not have the funds to get that deal over line and are trying to structure a deal that suits them.
This could open the door for Andre Gray to return to the Premier League, who was relegated with Watford last season.
Watford are said to be open to a loan move for the player who is on a reported £70k-a-week.
Grant the man fans want
Gray only managed two goals across 23 appearances in the Premier League last season, with the most recent of those coming in Watford’s November win against Norwich.
However, he only made seven starts and has proved to be prolific in the Championship.
Grant’s stats from last season make better reading for West Brom fans – he managed 19 goals across 43 appearances in the Championship, and scored four goals in the 13 games he played for the Terriers in the top flight.
He’s the man fans want, although Gray isn’t a bad option on a loan deal – and it would suit the West Brom budget.
Signing a striker is the priority for the Baggies, with Athletic journalist Steve Madeley reporting that it is ‘inconceivable’ that Slaven Bilic will start the season without a new striker available to him.
The Express and Star also report that the Baggies are interested in the loan signing of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
However the Belgian international has ambitions of joining a team playing in Europe this season, making a move to the Hawthorns unlikely.
In other West Brom news, report details West Brom plans in key position with new addition unlikely.