Heggebo to jet into UK over next 48 hours as West Brom beat rivals to agreement
West Brom boss Ryan Mason might still be smarting from missing out on signing Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, but he appears to have bounced back quickly.
West Brom had been pursuing Shankland for most of the summer so far. His contract at Hearts expired, and West Brom were the favourites to sign the Scottish striker.
However, Shankland ultimately decided to sign a new deal in Edinburgh. Nevertheless, Mason has turned his attention to a new frontman, Aune Heggebo, and it appears as if this deal will be done in the next couple of days.
Heggebo ready to sign for West Brom this weekend
Heggebo is a Norwegian striker who has been firing in the goals for SK Brann. He currently has seven in 13 appearances, just one behind the league’s leading goalscorers.
The 23-year-old is a fox-in-the-box type striker who loves to play off the last man and is lethal when presented with chances in the box. He’s six feet tall and is great in the air.
Norwegian publication Nettavisen (4 July) reports that Heggebo will fly to the UK imminently to agree terms with West Brom. The transfer fee to sign him is an estimated £4.75million.
Several other English clubs were in talks with SK Brann about signing their star striker, but it was West Brom who managed to agree terms.
Heggebo transfer is a gamble which could define West Brom’s season
Heggebo has only ever played for SK Brann, and the Norwegian league is hardly classed among Europe’s most elite.
As such, it has to be seen as a gamble for West Brom to spend close to £5m on a striker from that league.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 14 | 1282 | 7 | 1 |
Heggebo has played for Norway Under-21s but is yet to receive a senior cap. That’s nothing to be ashamed of when you consider he’s behind Erling Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Alexander Sorloth in the pecking order.
But it further cements the fact that he hasn’t proven himself at the highest level.
This could be a transfer that defines West Brom’s season. It’s not as if they have millions to splash on other more proven forwards.
The Baggies already have Daryl Dike, a striker recruited from the MLS who struggled to step up to the required level for the Championship.
Fans will be hoping that Heggebo doesn’t turn out to be Dike 2.0.
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