Why West Brom need a young striker such as Karlan Grant
According to The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley (h/t Examiner Live), West Brom are interested in Huddersfield Town striker Karlan Grant.
The 22-year-old Grant enjoyed rare individual success this season in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Huddersfield Town. Despite Huddersfield finishing 18th in the table, Grant emerged as one of the best strikers in the Championship this season after netting in 19 goals and four assists in 43 matches.
Having joined Huddersfield back in January 2019, Grant has gone on to become one of the regulars in the side due to his excellent goal-scoring prowess.
To date, he has featured 57 times for the Terriers across all competitions and has 23 goals and 5 assists to his name. Grant also has the experience playing in the Premier League last season before Huddersfield got relegated back to the lower division.
His time in the top-flight was quite successful despite his side’s dismal show as he scored four goals in 13 Premier League games, proving that he is a talent not to be ignored. With the striker still continuing his excellent form, newly-promoted Premier League side West Brom have now shown an interest in signing him.
Meanwhile, Grant was the subject of £15million bid back in January, however, Huddersfield did not let go of their main striker in order to ensure their survival in the Championship.
Grant can offer West Brom a secure future
West Brom, on the other hand, have earned promotion back to the top-flight following a second-place finish in the Championship this season under manager Slaven Bilic. The Baggies are returning to the top-flight after a two-year hiatus since their relegation.
West Brom have enjoyed success upfront this season mainly due to goals from their veteran strikers Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu. Both the forwards scored 10 goals each in the league this term. However, they turned 31 this year and this could prove to be a concern for the Baggies, now that they are back in the more physically challenging Premier League.
With both their established strikers already past their thirties, West Brom’s decision to make a move for the young and talented Grant seems like a step in the right direction. Also, apart from Austin and Robson Kanu, West Brom have Kenneth Zohore as a back-up option but the 26-year-old has been far from impressive.
He managed just three goals despite making 17 league appearances, suggesting that the side are in clear need of new faces in their attack. Hence, it would be wise for West Brom to rope in an in-form striker such as Grant.
Read more
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- Why West Brom should take a punt on Domagoj Vida
- West Brom willing to cut their losses on £8m flop star Kenneth Zohore – The right decision by Bilic?
Verdict
With Austin and Robson-Kanu already ageing and nearing the end of their careers, signing a youngster such as Grant will only aid West Brom in the long run. Moreover, his arrival will offer Bilic some more firepower in the attack next season when they return to the Premier League. Also, he is just 22 and could develop his game further under the guidance of a coach like Bilic.
