Alan Pardew has a tough task on his hands this season, of keeping West Bromwich Albion afloat in the top flight, as his side are currently struggling in the 19th place on the points table. The January transfer window will give the manager a chance to add fresh faces and some quality to his first team and this has seen the club linked with some exciting prospects.
One name constantly doing the rounds is that of Senegalese star Khouma Babacar.
Transfer Story:
According to reports, West Brom are one of the many clubs interested in the signature of Babacar this January. Having failed to establish himself in the first team at Fiorentina this season, he is expected to be sold this month and the likes of Crystal Palace, who have reportedly made a £15m bid and Brighton are also interested in his services.
Babacar And His Style Of Play:
Having graduated from the Fiorentina academy back in 2009, where he broke into the first team, Babacar spent three stints on loan at three different clubs, before settling in Florence in 2014. He had 10 goals in 22 Serie A appearances last season but has fallen down the pecking order, managing just 15 appearances, all of which have come off the bench.
He did score four goals in that time but the Italian outfit are ready to cash in on him this month. A centre-forward who has most traits to become a star in the future, the 24-year old is a devastating finisher, who cannot be afforded any time on the ball in the final third. He can find the back of the net from long range and from different angles, and is a genuine goalscorer, that most clubs in Europe would love to have.
He is quick over the turf, works hard in and around the box and is smart enough to unsettle even the best defenders in Europe. He made his international debut for Senegal last year and is slowly establishing himself in the European circuit. However, he will need to play regularly, to continue his development, which might not be easy in Italy.
Chances At West Brom:
The Baggies have one of the poorest scoring records in England this season and need to shake things up as soon as possible. Salomon Rondon seems to have lost his spark while the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson-Kanu have not been effective enough this season.
Among them, they have just 8 goals and 2 assists and it is imperative that West Brom add another striker to their side, to help them to safety. There are more exciting names than Babacar but his style of play and hard-working nature fits right into Pardew’s style of play, making him an attractive option.
His price tag might be a slight problem for the Baggies but half-way through the season, he is one of the best options they can land.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
