Reading ‘desperate’ as Devante Cole transfer wanted from West Brom
Devante Cole looks destined to leave West Brom this summer.
The forward featured 14 times in the Championship last season but failed to notch a goal contribution in 152 minutes of action after joining from Barnsley on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old striker has appeared in all of Albion’s pre-season friendlies so far, even scoring off the bench against Lincoln last time out.
However, The Hawthorns outfit may look to cut ties with the former Manchester City youth product after signing Aune Heggebo to bolster their forward line.
Reading are just one of the clubs that could take advantage.
Reading want West Brom ace Cole amid ‘desperate’ situation
Cole may not be in Ryan Mason’s plans come the start of the new campaign, following the underwhelming season that he had.
Reading Today journalist Andy Preston (29 July) has reported that the Royals are interested in Cole amid their “desperate need” for attackers.
He states that the Berkshire outfit faces competition from other League One clubs for the Baggies frontman.
West Brom should allow Cole exit
The veteran notched 21 goals for Barnsley in League One in the 2023/24 campaign, and that is why the Baggies picked him up when his contract expired.
However, he failed to replicate that impact in the second tier as Tony Mowbray’s side missed out on the play-offs.
Whether Cole ultimately departs or not, Albion still need reinforcements in the attacking third, as Josh Maja and Daryl Dike cannot be relied upon.
If Shilen Patel wants Mason to take the Black Country club to the Premier League, then they need their forwards to be fit and firing, something which the aforementioned duo have not been.
Maja was their top goalscorer in the league last season, but missed the second half of the season through injury, so he cannot be trusted to carry the burden again.
Hopefully, Heggebo can pick up the slack, but that is a big expectation to be placed on the young striker in his first season in English football.
One thing is for sure: Cole will not be the man to do so, given his record last season; therefore, an exit makes sense for all parties.
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