West Bromwich Albion made their first transfer of the summer season switch window earlier this week, confirming that Max O’Leary has signed a brand new three-year contract with the membership.
The previous Bristol Metropolis shot-stopper joined the Baggies on a short-term deal within the January switch window, however his unique contract was because of expire on the finish of subsequent month.
O’Leary is presently locked in on the Hawthorns till the summer season of 2029 and might be supervisor James Morrison’s first selection for subsequent season.
Nevertheless, West Brom additionally want so as to add gamers to their squad on the different finish of the pitch if they’re to compete for promotion from the Championship subsequent season.
The Baggies and Blackburn Rovers completed twenty first and twentieth respectively within the second tier this season, and each groups must be in the marketplace to extend their choices within the closing third in the summertime switch window.
Why West Brom and Blackburn want to enhance their assault
Each groups want to enhance their assault energy as they’re among the many 5 golf equipment who’ve scored the fewest objectives within the Championship out of 46 video games this season.
|
Minimal variety of objectives within the Championship within the 25/26 season |
|
|---|---|
|
staff |
the aim |
|
sheffield wednesday |
29 |
|
blackburn rovers |
42 |
|
charlton athletic |
44 |
|
oxford united |
45 |
|
west bromwich albion |
48 |
West Brom have scored simply two extra objectives than they’ve performed, whereas Rovers have solely scored 42 objectives in 46 video games, with solely Sheffield Wednesday scoring fewer objectives.
The Baggies lived as much as expectations at occasions, successful 3-0 towards Morrison’s Watford, however they had been unable to supply constant performances on the high finish of the pitch.
Oone Heggebo was the membership’s high scorer within the Championship with 9 objectives, whereas Yuki Ohashi led Blackburn with 10 objectives in 46 video games.
These statistics present that each golf equipment can be seeking to additional enhance their locations within the closing third earlier than the summer season switch window closes in early September, having failed to search out the again of the web typically sufficient over the previous 9 months.
West Brom have to beat Blackburn to signal 15-goal centre-forward
The 2 groups within the Championship have already been linked with signing a brand new centre-forward who’s even higher than each Hegebo and Ohashi.
Lorient quantity 9 Bamba Dieng is about to turn out to be a free agent on the finish of June, with West Brom, Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn amongst his choices forward of the summer season switch window.
The 26-year-old striker, who’s a part of Senegal’s provisional squad for this summer season’s World Cup, has had a wonderful season in Ligue 1 with Lorient and might be a sensational signing for both the Baggies or Rovers.
|
25/26 Ligue 1 |
Bamba Dien |
|---|---|
|
Look |
twenty two |
|
begins |
15 |
|
xG |
8.81 |
|
the aim |
10 |
|
conversion fee |
twenty two% |
|
A giant alternative has arisen |
2 |
|
help |
1 |
His document of 10 objectives in 15 begins in one in all Europe’s main leagues is nothing to giggle at. He has had an incredible season with the French staff and might be worthy of being included in Senegal’s World Cup squad if he makes the ultimate choice.
Dieng began 15 video games in Ligue 1, scoring 9 objectives within the Championship, greater than Heggebo, who began 37 video games and scored in English soccer’s second tier.
The Lorient marksman has scored 5 objectives in three cup video games in 2025/26, taking his tally to fifteen objectives in 25 video games in all competitions. This implies he has scored extra objectives than every other Blackburn or West Brom participant.
Dieng has scored as many league objectives as Ohashi, who additionally scored 10, however he’s enjoying at a better degree in one in all Europe’s main high leagues and has scored in 23 fewer begins than Japan’s quantity 9.
His kind in Ligue 1 and Lorient’s cup video games suggests he might be the goalscorer that Blackburn and West Brom sorely lacked in 2025-26 and might be the person to guide their promotion efforts subsequent season.
At 26, Dieng must be within the prime of his profession, that means both the Baggies or Rovers may get a discount on a free switch, which is why Morrison must press on to win the race for his signature.
Higher than Worth & Grey: West Brom have to beat Birmingham to signal £3m star
West Brom and Birmingham are each reportedly serious about signing the £3m star in the summertime.
