Exclusive: Phillips raves about reported West Brom loan-to-buy talks for £18m-rated striker
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 has urged West Brom to sign Karlan Grant over Islam Slimani amid reported loan-to-buy talks for the Huddersfield striker.
According to the Express & Star, the Baggies and trying to sign Grant, 23, on an initial loan deal that would be made permanent next summer if the Black Country club avoids relegation from the Premier League.
It is understood that a “substantial loan fee” would be involved with Huddersfield demanding up to £18million for the ex-Charlton centre-forward.
The Express & Star has also reported that Leicester City striker Slimani is an alternative target for the Baggies if they fail to sign Grant, who tops Slaven Bilic’s shopping list at the moment.
Phillips believes that Grant, on an initial loan basis, would be a clever signing by West Brom as it works around the fact they have a restricted transfer budget.
“It seems like a sensible deal,” Phillips told West Brom News. “I’ve said my bit about Karlan and I watched a bit of him last season and in the Premier League with Huddersfield.
“Do I think he’d be the solution? I don’t know. I would like to think he could be but I think getting him on loan is sensible business because you’re not shelling out huge amounts of money.
“Of course there’ll be a loan fee and his wages but I don’t think that’ll be an issue.
“It’s getting to the stage now where if you point me on the spot and asked him or Slimani, I’d probably go for Grant just because his track record in terms of injuries is better and he’ll probably last for the course of the season.”
Grant has not featured for Huddersfield yet this season with speculation surrounding his future at the Yorkshire club.
Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Grant is “desperate” to quit the John Smith’s Stadium and head to the Black Country to join the Baggies, who face a race against time to find a new striker to add to their squad ahead of their fourth Premier League match of the season on Sunday.
Grant joined Huddersfield in January 2019 and scored four goals in 13 Premier League appearances before the Terriers were relegated.
Last term, Grant netted 19 goals in 43 league appearances to help Huddersfield avoid a second consecutive relegation.
In other West Brom news, this Baggies transfer target is set to sign a new contract at his club.
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