According to claims from BT Sport commentator Ian Darke, West Brom have added Benfica striker Haris Seferovic to their shortlist of potential targets in the January window.
The reputed commentator has confirmed the Baggies’ links with Galatarasary hitman Mbaye Diagne but has revealed that the Albion are looking at several other strikers across the continent, with Seferovic among them.
Sam Allardyce has already roped in Robert Snodgrass from West Ham to bolster his creative lines this month. However, with West Brom locked in a relegation dogfight, a new striker remains high on the club’s agenda as they look to preserve their top-flight status.
Haris Seferovic came through the youth ranks of Grasshopper in his native Switzerland as a highly-rated prospect with immense potential. He failed to live up to the expectations at Fiorentina, Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Sociedad earlier in his career but has settled down well since moving to Benfica in 2017.
The 28-year-old enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2018-19, where he scored 27 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions. Seferovic struggled to hit similar heights last season, scoring just 5 times in 30 league appearances for the Portuguese heavyweights. But the Swiss stalwart has fired all guns blazing this term with 7 goals and 3 assists in 11 appearances in the Liga NOS so far.
In all competitions so far, Seferovic has amassed 53 goals and 19 assists in 146 appearances for Benfica. Despite his inconsistencies on the club front, Seferovic has enjoyed an impressive international career with Switzerland, scoring 19 times from 68 caps.
West Brom currently find themselves second-bottom in the Premier League standings after a nightmarish first half of the campaign. The Baggies have managed just 2 wins from 19 games so far, accumulating 11 points in the process.
Indeed, West Brom’s season certainly isn’t beyond repair, with so many games left to be played between now and the end of the campaign. The Baggies, however, will need to improve on their dismal tally of 15 goals scored and 43 conceded so far if they are to have any realistic chance of beating the drop.
Bringing in a new striker, to that end, would certainly help West Brom in their uphill battle against relegation. Karlan Grant has failed to live up to the expectations as the club’s first-choice No.9, scoring only once in 12 games so far. With Charlie Austin joining Kenneth Zohore on loan in the Championship this month, the door remains open for a fresh arrival.
Putting things into context, West Brom should not hesitate to take a punt on Haris Seferovic if he is, indeed, made available by Benfica. The Swiss star has blown hot and cold in his club career over the years, making him somewhat of a gamble for the Baggies.
But with such a lot of Champions League and international experience under his belt, it would be safe to assume that Seferovic has enough quality to come through the door at the Hawthorns as an instant upgrade on Grant.
Besides his decent goalscoring track record, the 28-year-old would also add another dimension to West Brom’s attack with his powerful frame and good all-round game.
West Brom need to play their cards before the end of this month as the January window presents the last lifeline for them to beef up their artillery for a fierce relegation battle. Haris Seferovic ticks the box as an experienced striker with proven pedigree and one who could be a real asset to the Baggies.