Why West Brom should take a punt on Kasper Junker in January
According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t Scottish Sun), West Brom are among a host of English clubs interested in securing the services of prolific Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Junker in the January transfer window.
Championship trio Derby County, Swansea City and Middlesbrough, Scottish giants Celtic, as well as Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, are also understood to be tracking the former Danish U-21 international.
Junker is yet to represent his country at the senior level but he would still qualify for a work permit in the United Kingdom. (TEAMtalk h/t Scottish Sun)
Profile
Junker made more than 100 appearances for Randers, Aarhus and Horsens in his homeland before joining Norwegian outfit Stabaek on loan midway through the 2019 season. After scoring 6 times in 12 Eliteserien appearances, he was snapped up by heavyweights Bodo/Glimt on a permanent deal in January 2020.
The 26-year-old set the Eliteserien on fire with an eye-watering tally of 27 goals and 8 assists in just 25 appearances last season. Junker finished as the division’s top-scorer and was instrumental as Bodo/Glimt romped home to the domestic title. The striker also grabbed a goal in the 3-2 defeat against AC Milan in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
West Brom need a helping hand
Meanwhile, West Brom currently find themselves locked in a relegation dogfight following a dismal first half of the campaign in the Premier League.
Well, West Brom’s season certainly isn’t beyond repair with plenty of fixtures still left to be played. However, it will require a herculean effort from Sam Allardyce’s side to get things back on track, considering that they have been well below par since the start of the season.
The Midlands outfit roped in Karlan Grant from Huddersfield Town to bolster their striking options. But the 23-year-old has offered next to nothing in front of goal. He has found the net just once in 12 league appearances so far.
With Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu both peripheral figures in the set-up, it is an absolute no-brainer for West Brom to seek reinforcements now.
West Brom should definitely consider taking a punt on Kasper Junker. The Dane absolutely ripped defences apart for fun in Norway last term. He would be a real asset to the Baggies in their fight against relegation even if he manages to produce a fraction of his astonishing tally at Bodo/Glimt.
Verdict
It’s hard to fathom whether Kasper Junker would represent a sizable upgrade on West Brom’s current striking options. Goals in Norway are hardly exchangeable for those in the Premier League but one has to see what Erling Braut Haaland has done in Germany.
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While there’s always an element of risk involved in signing players from the so-called lesser leagues in Europe, Junker would still be more than worth a punt for relegation-threatened West Brom in the current climate.
