Why West Brom should reignite interest in Bright Osayi-Samuel

Back in May, a report from the Express & Star had claimed that West Brom were keeping close tabs on Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel with a view to a potential transfer in the summer. The Nigeria-born speedster was also linked with a move to Crystal Palace but he eventually ended up staying put at Loftus Road. 

Profile

Bright Osayi-Samuel rose through the youth ranks of Blackpool and made his senior debut in the Championship during the 2014-15 season. He shot to prominence with Blackpool in League One and League Two before completing a return to the second-tier with QPR in the summer of 2017. 

The 22-year-old only played a bit-part role during his first two seasons at Loftus Road before establishing himself as a regular starter under the stewardship of Mark Warburton last term. Osayi-Samuel bagged 5 goals and 8 assists in 37 Championship outings for the West London outfit in 2019-20 and has continued to fire on all cylinders in the ongoing campaign.

Osayi-Samuel delivered a man-of-the-match performance in QPR’s 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough in September. He was once again at the top of his game as Warburton’s side beat Cardiff City 3-2 at home. The highly-rated winger has contributed with 11 goals and 11 assists in 101 appearances for QPR in all competitions so far. 

Osayi-Samuel could be a useful addition to West Brom’s attack

The Baggies capped off their summer business with a deal for Karlan Grant to bolster their striking ranks. 

However, it’s quite clear from the club’s tally of 6 goals in 6 games so far that they need to make further additions to their attack when the market reopens in January. Of course, it’s too early to pass a definitive judgement based on those numbers, but the Baggies can certainly do with more depth and quality in the final third.

While Grady Diangana has continued to be an undisputed starter on the left, Slaven Bilic has struggled to rotate his options effectively on the other side of the pitch. It has been clear from the manager’s team selection that he doesn’t consider the likes of Matt Phillips and Kyle Edwards as regular starters in the top-flight. 

That has prompted Bilic to shift Pereira to a wide attacking role on the right. The Brazilian has been one of the standout performers for the club so far. But his best qualities are undoubtedly utilised in a No.10 role behind the striker. 

West Brom should, therefore, look for another specialist wide attacker in January. Reigniting interest in Bright Osayi-Samuel would definitely make a lot of sense in footballing terms. Fast and hungry, the QPR starlet has made significant improvements to his game over the past two seasons in the Championship. 

The 22-year-old has already started to deliver on his vast potential in the Championship and West Brom should definitely fancy their chances of developing him into a quality winger in the top-flight. Read more

• Why West Brom should not make a move Troy Deeney
• West Brom hold talks to sign £900,000-rated defensive ace Cedric Kipre – A smart move by Bilic?
• Why Sheffield United must continue their pursuit of Oliver Burke

Verdict

Bright Osayi-Samuel still has his best years ahead of him at 22 and working under a charismatic manager like Bilic will surely help him take his game to the next level. The Nigeria-born starlet is yet to extend his contract at QPR beyond 2021, meaning the door remains open for the Baggies to have another real shot at signing him in January.