West Brom have been touted to move in for Basel forward Albian Ajeti, as per reports.
It was earlier claimed by the Express & Star that the Baggies were unwilling to meet his hefty wage demands.
However, journalist Matt Wilson has claimed that Slaven Bilic’s side are still in the process of negotiation, and a deal might still materialise.
Following the departures of Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, West Brom need to sign another striker though they have signed Kenneth Zohore.
The Baggies have had a decent summer transfer window so far, having acquired the services of Filip Krovinovic, Romaine Sawyers, Darnell Furlong and Semi Ajayi.
Why Albian Ajeti would be a smart addition to the team
Ajeti has been a lethal goal scorer for Basel after he signed for them in 2017, and scored 21 goals in 43 games for the Swiss outfit last season.
He is good at holding the ball in the final third, which is an essential ingredient to succeed in English football. With pace to burn as well, Ajeti can have a go at defenders and leave them in his wake.
The Swiss international knows exactly where the goal is and more often than not, he pops up in the right areas at the right time inside the box to apply the finishing touch.
Ajeti possesses is a strong forward, and his physique allows him to compete for aerial duels and not be outmuscled. However, it remains to be seen if he can use these abilities in the Championship, which is a far more physical league compared to the Swiss top flight.
Despite being a 22-year-old, Ajeti’s maturity belies his age and he has the tendency to link up with his teammates meticulously, as well as to set up chances for them.
Although his goal scoring made the headlines last season, it’s worth noting that he Ajeti managed 11 assists in all competitions as well, which is a good return for a striker.
He has proven himself at Basel, but a move to the Championship will be a real test. He could be a handy asset for Albion, who will look to mount a serious challenge for promotion again next season.
Bilic will need goal scorers in his squad, and considering all the abilities Ajeti has, he is worth a punt.
