Brandon Thomas-Asante contract update emerges at West Brom amid exit speculation
West Brom may look to tie Brandon Thomas-Asante down to a new contract if they don't sell him this summer, according to Lewis Cox.
The striker is entering the final year of his deals at The Hawthorns and reports have suggested Southampton are looking to bring him to the Premier League having won promotion last term [Football Insider, 23 July].
It remains unclear whether or not the Baggies would be willing to part ways with the 25-year-old, but Express & Star journalist Cox believes Carlos Corberan's side will have a "decision to make".
Speaking to the Express & Star (27 July) he said: "Is Brandon Thomas-Asante ready to be a Premier League striker? I'm not 100 per cent sure about that, maybe he'll be down there as the third or fourth choice.
"If Southampton then get relegated, he'll be there to help them fire in the Championship so perhaps it does make sense from a point of view at St Mary's.
"If any other sort of concrete interest comes in for him it will give Albion a decision to make certainly because of the contract situation between now and next year.
"If they decide they won't sell him, then you have to think they'll be looking at new deal talk."
Will Brandon Thomas-Asante exit West Brom amid Southampton transfer links?
Thomas-Asante has been a bit of a divisive figure around the Baggies' fanbase over the last couple of years. While he always gives his all, he doesn't have the clinical edge to be a 20-goal-a-season forward.
But at this moment in time with Daryl Dike sidelined once again and Josh Maja also struggling for fitness, the 25-year-old is the best option Albion have and they really cannot afford to let him leave for the Premier League.
On the face of it, tying him down to a new deal seems like an absolute no-brainer. It would end speculation about his future this summer and also up his valuation if anyone did try and take him away from the Baggies.
At this moment in time, it doesn't seem as though a new contract is close, however. Perhaps Corberan's side is waiting to see what happens between now and the end of the window before making any big contract calls.
Hopefully, they won't leave it too late as they cannot afford to head into next season with Maja as the only fit forward available.
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