Kevin Phillips react as West Brom eye Spezia striker M’Bala Nzola
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 wants West Brom to push the boat out to sign a new centre-forward before the end of the summer transfer window.
Albion have just over a week left to make any new additions to their squad with Valerien Ismael yet to sign a player who wasn’t a free agent or arrived on loan.
Matheus Pereira’s move to Al Hilal has undoubtedly boosted Ismael’s transfer budget and that has led to West Brom being linked with Spezia’s Angolan striker M’Bala Nzola.
Nzola scored 11 goals in 25 Serie A appearances last season with Lazio and Napoli among the clubs to have conceded to the Angola international.
BeIN SPORTS journalist Tancredi Palmeri reported last week that the Baggies and Fulham are interested in the Spezia centre-forward, who’s valued at around £6million.
Former Albion star Phillips feels that a new striker will elevate Ismael’s squad despite their strong start to the Championship season.
Speaking to West Brom News, he said: “When I watched them against Sheffield United, I thought they did well but they don’t have that out-and-out striker.
“[Callum] Robinson and [Karlan] Grant played alongside each other but both of them drift into wide areas, they haven’t got that focal point who can get them the 20-plus goals to get out of the league.
“There is money available so maybe they need to splash that little bit more to get that quality that will hopefully get them over the line.
“I know they were comfortable winners against Sheffield United but a striker might be the final piece of the jigsaw that could really push them towards promotion.”
In other West Brom news, Albion could still swoop in to sign this Premier League goalscorer on loan this month.
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