Big money offer could force West Brom to sell Brandon Thomas-Asante like Tottenham did Harry Kane – Carlton Palmer
Carlton Palmer has said that he believes a big money offer could force West Brom to sell striker Brandon Thomas-Asante in January like Tottenham did Harry Kane.
The BBC pundit, speaking to Football League World (6 October) shares it will be a “tough call” for Carlos Corberan to lose the forward given his lack of options in attack but a “big offer” could force the Baggies’ hand.
The Milton Keynes-born forward was linked with a deadline day move away from The Hawthorns to Stoke City [Mail Sport, 1 September] and it won’t be a surprise to see their Championship rivals return with an offer of some sort in January.
However, Palmer believes West Brom will make a decision to sell based on the club’s position in the boardroom, their position in the league come January and the size of the offer.
“I’m sure there will be renewed interest in West Bromwich Albion player Brandon Thomas-Asante come the January transfer window,” Palmer said.
“Should West Brom sell? That’s a tough call.
“Given their recent history, it says that they will if they receive the right offer, but currently West Brom are light on the ground with attacking options, several forwards are out with long-term injuries and they sit in a play-off place.
“I suppose it all depends on what the state of play will look like when they get to the January transfer window, in terms of the new owners, where they sit in the league, the injury positions and the offer they receive.
“If they receive a big offer and you can use the money to strengthen the team in other areas and the team can go forward, like Harry Kane and Spurs, then absolutely, you should sell.”
Tough decision indeed
With the likes of Daryl Dike, Josh Maja and now potentially John Swift on the treatment table at The Hawthorns, selling Brandon Thomas-Asante is not even an afterthought given Corberan’s terribly depleted squad.
The 24-year-old hasn’t enjoyed the best of form so far this campaign, scoring just two goals from his eight Championship starts so far this campaign (WhoScored) – his last goal coming in the 4-2 win over Middlesbrough at the end of August.
Maja’s injury blow will have provided Thomas-Asante with the chance to stake his claim as West Brom’s permanent striker option but these latest snubs certainly don’t do him any favours and after the summer transfer interest from elsewhere, it’s something he may consider if it continues.
However, right now West Brom must think of their potential playoff hopes and these damaging injuries have certainly damaged their early chase for those spots but there’s a chance that Dike could return in January, while Maja will be hoping to fire on all cylinders by the time the winter window comes around.
Also, the Baggies are in a financial state right now and in the process of talking with prospective buyers and more crucially, Corberan desperately needs funds available to boost his depleted squad which means a Thomas-Asante sale isn’t totally out of the picture.
The forward was linked with a £2m exit in January but with West Brom’s financial peril that will be deemed very small. It should take a “big offer” to tempt West Brom, but if not they should keep until the summer at least.
In other West Brom news, a football expert has been left stunned after behind-the-scenes news has emerged at Hawthorns over the past few months.