Brandon Thomas-Asante’s regular starting position at West Brom is now under serious threat as Carlos Corberan gears up for his first January transfer in Andi Weimann.
Bristol Live reported on its website on Friday (12 January) that Robins captain is in advanced talks over a switch to The Hawthorns this January as he enters the final six months of his contract at Ashton Gate.
It remains unclear whether the Austrian international would join Carlos Corberan’s ranks on a permanent or loan basis, but he is unlikely to be offered a new deal in the southwest.
This deal could also play a part in making Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s move to Bristol City permanent as well, with the Baggies academy product currently on loan at Ashton Gate until the end of the season, with the Robins possessing an option to buy.
West Brom are in desperate need of additions this month given the depleted attacking weaponry at Corberan’s disposal at this moment of time.
The Baggies, in a number of weeks, have seen Jeremy Sarmiento return to Brighton from his loan spell in Birmingham and join up with promotion rivals Ipswich Town, Grady Diangana left the squad to represent DR Congo at AFCON and the likes of Jed Wallace and John Swift suffer recurring injury niggles which has left West Brom severely depleted in attack.
Summer signing Josh Maja is still out injured and may not return before the end of the month.
Corberan has certainly been boosted by the emergence of Tom Fellows and Jovan Malcolm on the scene and Daryl Dike’s goalscoring return from injury which all came against Aldershot Town on Sunday (7 January).
The Spaniard has been left to rely on Thomas-Asante who has been an ever-present figure for most of the campaign, and has struggled for consistency in front of goal this season, scoring seven goals in 24 Championship appearances.
At one point in November, the 25-year-old hadn’t enjoyed the best of form, scoring just three goals from his 13 Championship appearances (WhoScored) – and before his strike in the 2-0 win over Coventry City on 30 October, his last goal came in the 4-2 win over Middlesbrough at the end of August.
Since November, he’s only hit three goals from 12 games which certainly suggests the Baggies do not possess a striker capable of helping them topple their promotion rivals or sustain a strong push towards their ambitions.
Thomas-Asante certainly has the ability to be a West Brom regular, possessing great pace and technical acumen to trouble defences as he’s shown on numerous occasions this season but his lack of ruthlessness in front of goal is a real concern and surely leaves Corberan losing trust.
The Spaniard has certainly identified that weakness and it is why he is looking to former Aston Villa man Weimann to come in and help out, with his addition now seemingly close to completion.
Weimann is exactly what Corberan has been looking for as the Austrian international is a seasoned veteran in the Championship with a wealth of experience.
He can play in a number of different positions and will provide a new element of versatility to Albion’s squad. But, also West Brom have Daryl Dike now back and firing which means Thomas-Asante’s regular starting place is now under serious threat.
