West Bromwich Albion are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer and one player they have now all but signed is West Ham United star Grady Diangana.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Hawthorns to good effect and Sky Sports claim that Bilic is happy to bring him back on a permanent basis, for a fee of £18m including add-ons.
It will be a club-record transfer but is he worth the fuss?
Grady Diangana’s 2019-20 Season
The Congo born attacker joined West Ham’s academy in 2010 but made just 17 senior appearances before joining West Brom on his first loan stint, last season.
He made 23 starts in the Championship, where he registered eight goals and six assists with his most crucial contributions coming on the final day against QPR.
Diangana registered a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw which saw West Brom retain their place in the top-2 of the points table and return to the Premier League.
Bilic used a 4-2-3-1 system to good effect last season and Grady Diangana was used as a wide attacking midfielder on the left flank. He was a creative presence in the final third but was also happy to help out Connor Townsend at left-back when under pressure.
The 22-year-old is a versatile attacker and an excellent dribbler who is devastating in front of goal. His passing and build-up play were crucial for West Brom to defy deep-blocks in the Championship last season but Diangana might have a new role to play in the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The Baggies are not expected to dominate possession in games against sides in the top-flight and Grady Diangana will have more defensive work to do. However, he can be a real threat in counter-attack situations and will certainly be a regular in the first team for Bilic next season.
Masterstroke By Bilic
What makes this signing of Grady Diangana a masterstroke by Bilic is the lack of quality available in the transfer market.
Diangana has already played a long season under Bilic and will be ready from the first game next season. Very few options available in the transfer market can settle in as quickly as the West Ham man and this could help the Baggies make a fast start to life in the Premier League.
Callum Robinson and Filip Krovinovic have both returned to their parent clubs, leaving West Brom short of creativity in attack.
Bilic has already managed to sign Matheus Pereira on a permanent deal this summer and having a similar attack to last season with Diangana on the left will go a long way in deciding West Brom’s top-flight status next season.
However, coming in as a record transfer for West Brom, the pressure will surely be high on Diangana to perform next season. Do you think he can live up to it?
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