West Bromwich Albion Make £500,000 Transfer Decision

West Bromwich Albion will return with an improved £500,000 offer for Preston North End striker Will Keane before the transfer window closes this Friday, according to Football Insider.

The Baggies have picked up where they left off last season in the Championship, enjoying an unbeaten start thus far. Recovering from their play-off heartbreak in May, they have dropped just two points from their opening three fixtures, with a 0-0 draw against title favourites Leeds United the only blemish on their record

Despite that, Josh Maja has led the line during the early stages of the campaign. After enduring an injury hit debut first season at the Hawthorns, he has hit the ground running with four goals from his opening trio of games. The 25-year-old scored the winner at Stoke City at the weekend, following on from his hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers on the opening day.

The former Sunderland man will need help throughout the season though. Devante Cole was drafted in on a free transfer after his departure from Barnsley, but has appeared as an unused substitute in the last two games.

As a result, attention has been shifted to Preston’s Will Keane. West Brom’s interest first emerged last week, where they are said to have had their first approach rebuffed. However, it is claimed that they will return with a £500,000 offer for the 31-year-old in the coming days.

The attacker joined the Lilywhites last summer from Wigan Athletic on a two-year deal, netting 13 times in his debut season. He got his tally off the mark on Saturday when he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Luton Town.

Football Insider’s report was backed up this morning by journalist Phil Cadden.

Writer’s View

This would be a smart signing for West Brom. Josh Maja will be the main man at the Hawthorns this season, but he cannot be expected to carry the lion’s share of the attacking threat on his own. There is also a question mark as to whether he can stay fit after his injury woes last season, meaning other options will be needed to rotate.

Keane is a player with bags of experience at this level. He knows where the goal is and has hit double figures in each of his last two Championship seasons. It’s unlikely he will be a regular starter, although he would be an excellent option to have in and around the squad. This could come down to whether Preston are willing to let their talisman leave this close to the end of the transfer window.