Thomas-Asante scored a respectable 11 goals in the second tier during the regular season, but his impact in the crucial play-off games for Carlos Corberan’s team was minimal. He managed only 15 touches of the ball in the first leg before being substituted by the displeased Spaniard.

If the 25-year-old center-forward moves to the Saints soon, West Brom will undoubtedly seek a new attacker to lead their line, having previously been linked with this striker.

West Brom could target a free agent

According to the Daily Mail last week, West Brom have been interested in luring former Stoke City player Tyrese Campbell to the Hawthorns this season to bolster their striker position.

They are not the only ones interested in the free agent, as Rangers in Scotland, along with Championship teams like Preston North End, Sheffield United, and Queens Park Rangers, are also reportedly pursuing him.

Released by the Potters after his injury troubles led to a disrupted 2023/24 campaign, Campbell hopes to recover from these setbacks and score plenty of goals for a new team soon.

Why Campbell Could Finally Replace Dwight Gayle

With Josh Maja and Daryl Dike also being unreliable options due to their injury issues, signing Campbell could be a risky move for West Brom but one that might pay off if he can replicate Dwight Gayle’s heroics in Albion colors.

Gayle arrived at the Hawthorns after an inconsistent spell at Newcastle United and revitalized his career in the Championship. He joined on loan for the 2018/19 season after scoring only six Premier League goals the previous campaign for the Magpies. The now 34-year-old free agent became an instant Baggies legend, netting 24 goals in just 41 games for West Brom.

West Brom haven’t had such a prolific goalscorer since their former deadly loanee left, but the Championship outfit hopes Campbell can become that lethal finisher soon, with or without Thomas-Asante remaining.

Described as a “handful” by former Stoke manager Michael O’Neill when on top form, the former £12.5k-per-week player managed to score vital goals last season for Stoke, including a crucial strike away at Southampton towards the end of the campaign to help keep his side in the second tier.

The injury-prone 24-year-old only needed 15 touches on the South Coast to score the winner against Russell Martin’s eventually promoted Saints, which would prove to be one of his last goals for Stoke, bringing his total to 36 goals from 164 games.

He could become even more of a goal threat in his new setting, surrounded by players like Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana creating chances for him, as West Brom aims for another promotion charge.