A significant update as West Brom face competition after an official offer for a striker.
West Bromwich Albion have now offered a contract to Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but face the risk of an eleventh-hour hijack.
The Baggies are eager to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of next season and have targeted Shankland, who is out of contract at Hearts following the expiry of his previous deal on May 31. The Jam Tarts are working hard to try and keep their captain at Tynecastle - and manager Derek McInnes has held talks with him - but Shankland is weighing up his options.
The striker, who turns 30 in August, was named the PFA Scotland Player of the Year in 2023/24 after scoring 31 goals in 47 matches across all competitions. That was a second successive season that Shankland was a goalscoring machine as he netted 28 in 47 games during the 2022/23 term. The rate did slow during the campaign just gone, however, as Shankland scored just nine times in 43 games.
West Brom were close to signing the Scotland international back in 2020 but backed out due to the cost of the deal. That won’t be an issue this time, however, as Shankland, who has a current market value of £2 million, wouldn’t cost a penny in transfer fees. There’s a late complication, though, with a new report suggesting Albion face strong competition late on in the race.
Journalist Mark Hendry reports Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ettifaq and Al-Wehda are both looking into the possibility of hijacking West Brom’s swoop for Shankland. The two Saudi outfits are said to be organising their budgets for the coming season before moving forward with any negotiations but are expected to table offers.
Ettifaq, who Steven Gerrard managed until the start of this year, could be a tempting destination as Shankland would be able to join up with international teammate Jack Hendry. The wages on offer would likely gazump what Albion are capable of putting forward. The same can be said for Southampton, who are also interested.
If Shankland does make the move to The Hawthorns instead of Saudi Arabia, it will be his first taste of English football as he has spent much of his career to date in Scotland, along with one brief spell in Belgium. That may raise some concerns but he’s been a prolific scorer wherever he’s been, whether that be Hearts, Dundee United, Ayr United, Beerschot or elsewhere.
West Brom eyeing huge squad overhaul
Shankland certainly isn’t the only potential signing Albion are looking at as the recruitment team are eager to bolster several key positions. Grady Diangana, John Swift and Semi Ajayi will need to be replaced as they are leaving at the end of their contracts, whereas academy product Tom Fellows could secure a move to the Premier League amid strong interest.
That would mean signing players in at least the left wing, attacking midfield, right wing and centre-back spots – and that’s without considering other areas that clearly needed strengthening during the season just gone. Albion may consider signing a new goalkeeper following Alex Palmer’s exit, another left-back is desired, depth is a necessity at centre-back and more bite is needed in midfield.
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