Bilic delivers striker update as West Brom locked in talks, hitman could cost £5m for 20/21 deal
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic has spoken of his hope that the Baggies can agree a deal to sign Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant.
Bilic reaffirmed the need for West Brom to sign a striker ahead of the closure of the transfer window on October 5.
Grant would be Bilic’s preferred option, and he is hoping that West Brom and Huddersfield can agree a deal that would see the 23-year-old forward move to the Hawthorns.
Speaking after the Baggies’ draw with Chelsea at the weekend, Bilic spoke to the Express and Star saying he ‘can only hope’ for a deal to be struck, and that the main problem is West Brom’s budget.
He said, “I can only hope at this moment – I think something will happen because we needed it. I’ve said it from the beginning, I keep saying that and I hope the owners will recognise the situation – even after the Chelsea game – and try to strengthen our team.
“Make no mistake – we do not have a problem attracting players, there are a lot of players who would love to join. The problem is the budget. Hopefully, there will be some movement. A lot of deals will happen in the last week or two.
“Hopefully, we are going to do something.”
Grant has been linked with a move to West Brom all summer, with the striker yet to turn out for Huddersfield this season amid this transfer speculation.
Earlier reports claimed that talks had reached an impasse over how a fee would be paid.
The Baggies and the Terriers are said to agree on a valuation for the player, with the Express and Star saying that could be £18m.
West Brom want to pay a £5m loan fee with the remainder paid if the Baggies stay in the Premier League.
Something will have to give before the October 5 deadline if this deal is to be completed.
That could be West Brom stumping up more money up front, or Huddersfield accepted a deal that makes sense in the light of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Grant wasn’t in the Huddersfield squad for their Championship game on Friday as talks continue.
The Baggies picked up their first Premier League point of the season against Chelsea on Sunday, with stand-in forward Callum Robinson impressing with a two-goal haul. The addition of Grant would really help to bolster Slaven Bilic’s attack and give his wingers a big target man to aim at.
In other West Brom news, Reliable journalist: West Brom set to complete transfer on Monday.
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