Why West Brom should take a punt on Andy Carroll in January
According to the Mirror (h/t The Sun), West Brom are targeting a move for out-of-favour Newcastle United hitman Andy Carroll in the January transfer window.
New Baggies boss Sam Allardyce is expected to dip into the winter market for some cost-effective signings to help his club in their fight against relegation in the Premier League. Carroll has found regular minutes hard to come by in his second stint at St. James’ Park and West Brom are planning to make enquiries over his availability.
As per the report, the Baggies are hoping to snap up the former England international for a small fee in January, with his contract set to expire next summer. Carroll has been left frustrated by his lack of involvement under Steve Bruce and could jump at the chance to join West Brom in search of regular minutes.
Carroll, who rejoined his boyhood club Newcastle United from West Ham in the summer of 2019, has failed to score even once in 30 appearances across all competitions. The 31-year-old started only 4 PL fixtures for the Magpies last term and has featured as a starter on only a couple of occasions so far this season.
Meanwhile, West Brom currently find themselves locked in a relegation dogfight following a dismal start to the campaign. The Baggies have only managed a solitary win from 16 games, accumulating just 8 points in the process.
Despite impressive draws against heavyweights Man City and Liverpool in recent weeks, West Brom need a significant upturn of form in the coming months to climb up the table. Their season is certainly not beyond repair as there are still plenty of games left to be played. But Allardyce faces a massive task on his hands to guide his side to safety.
Indeed, the January window is expected to be West Brom’s best friend in their bid for top-flight survival. With just 11 goals scored so far, it’s an absolute no-brainer for the Baggies to seek some additional firepower up top.
They did splash the cash to rope in Karlan Grant from Huddersfield Town before the domestic deadline but he has failed to make much of an impression in the Premier League.
Grant has managed to find the net just once for the Baggies so far. With Kenneth Zohore out on loan at Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin pretty much peripheral figures in the set-up, West Brom need to look for an experienced striker to add more variety to their forward line.
Putting things into context, Andy Carroll ticks the box at the Hawthorns as a household name in English football. The former England international’s career has been blighted by several injuries that have prevented him from fulfilling the promise his early potential indicated. However, Allardyce is well aware of his pedigree when fit, having previously managed the striker at Newcastle and West Ham.
West Brom, to that end, could potentially have a saviour on their hands if Allardyce manages to get Carroll firing once again. The veteran hasn’t been afforded enough game time since his return to Newcastle in 2019 but he remains a seasoned-campaigner at this level. Given his towering 6ft 4in frame, Carroll also fits the bill as a target man who would provide a much-needed focal point to the Baggies’ attack.
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Verdict
With Carroll’s contract at Newcastle set to expire at the end of the season, the door remains open for West Brom to snap him up for a knockdown fee in January.
The Baggies are crying out for some genuine game-changers in front of goal to help them in their fight against relegation. Having said that, the 31-year-old has all the experience and quality to come through the door as a useful addition to West Brom’s ranks.
All in all, Allardyce’s reunion with the former England international could well prove to be useful.