‘Major one’ – Bilic makes key West Brom transfer claim with deadline approaching

Slaven Bilic has said that he is ‘expecting’ West Brom to sign a striker before the domestic transfer window closes on October 16 and hopes to get “one major one” over the line. 

Speaking to the Express and Star, Bilic said that the club are ‘totally concentrated’ on bringing a striker to the Hawthorns in the late days of the summer transfer window.

The Express and Star also say that Leicester’s Islam Slimani and Huddersfield’s Karlan Grant are on his shortlist of targets.

This means the Baggies might have longer than the October 5 transfer deadline, as domestic transfers from EFL clubs can be carried out until October 16.

West Brom would be limited to transfers from EFL sides after Monday.

Bilic said, “We have until Monday and then after we have a couple of weeks to do domestic signings. We are trying to get at least one, maybe a couple, but one basically. Two would be good. But we are totally concentrated on the striker position.

“I’m expecting it to happen. Is it going to happen before Monday, or after that, I don’t know. But I’m expecting it to happen. We need it. It’ll be crucial for us to improve in that area. We have good strikers, but we have to improve in that area.

“it’s crucial for us to do that piece of business. Ideally, we’d have a few of them, if not then at least one major one.”

The Baggies are still searching for a striker to lead their line in the Premier League this season. Callum Robinson has filled in so far this term, but he has experienced mixed performances.

The 25-year-old struggled to make an impact in his first two outings in a striker role against Leicester and Everton, but bagged himself a brace against Chelsea last time out in the league.

Robinson should carry on up-front for the Baggies’ trip to Southampton this weekend, but there could be a new striker at the Hawthorns come Monday’s deadline.

Baggies fans will be hoping that their club can secure a deal to sign a new striker who can help to score the goals that will keep West Brom a Premier League club for another season.

Bilic’s transfer budget is heavily depleted at this stage in the transfer window, meaning the club may have to get creative to get a deal for either Slimani or Grant over the line.