Why West Brom should make an audacious move for Bas Dost in January

According to a report from the Birmingham Mail, West Brom had made a sensational approach for Sporting Lisbon marksman, Bas Dost.

The Dutchman, 30, has been one of the most prolific strikers in European football since his switch to the Sporting Lisbon from Wolfsburg in 2016. His exploits in Portugal haven’t gone unnoticed, with West Brom making an approach late during the summer transfer window.

However, Bas Dost had no interest in playing Championship football at The Hawthorns. West Brom also moved no further after finding out the 30-year-old’s demands, the report adds. But come January, the Baggies should try their luck again in getting the towering striker.

West Brom lost Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, who contributed over 40 league goals last season between them last season. Slaven Bilic has replaced the departed duo with Kenneth Zohore and Charlie Austin at the club.

Zohore and Austin have good experience in the Championship and are expected to come good this season. Behind them, however, is the goal-shy Hal Robson-Kanu and young Chris Willock in attack.

Bilic hasn’t had an ideal start to life at the Hawthorns, with his team being knocked out of the Football League Cup’s first round by Millwall last week. Austin did score in the 2-1 defeat, while Zohore is yet to make an impact following his switch from Cardiff City.

Despite having added the likes of Filip Krovinovic, Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana—all on-loan—West Brom are yet to dazzle in the 2019/20 Championship campaign.

If the Baggies are to realistically mount a promotion challenge, they must quickly regroup after the League Cup exit and start delivering consistent performances. In fact, they’ll have to be in a promising position in the table around the New Year if they are to attract Europe’s big names during the winter transfer market.

A move for Bas Dost would certainly give Bilic’s side the boost to push on after the New Year. Standing at 6ft 5in tall, he is an absolute giant of a centre-forward.

He is fantastic in the air and his strength in holding up the ball with his back to the goal can be matched by few. The Dutchman is absolutely deadly when presented with a goalscoring opportunity having scored a frightening 93 goals in just 125 outings for Sporting.

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With West Brom possessing some really good crossers of the ball in Chris Brunt, Filip Krovinovic and Matheus Pereira, Dost could thrive in Bilic’s system at The Hawthorns.

Verdict

Even though Dost rejected an offer to join West Brom, Bilic should try again when the transfer market reopens. The towering Dutchman absolutely has the quality to fire the Baggies back to the Premier League.