West Brom are reportedly keen on bolstering their defensive line this month, but they are quickly running out of time to do so.
Football Insider are claiming that the Baggies have entered the running to sign Rangers centre-back Connor Goldson after a string of impressive performances north of the border.
Albion would also consider a move in the summer if they are unable to clinch him before the end of the window.
Slaven Bilic’s side currently sit top of the Championship table but have suffered in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last six league matches and on Monday evening they recorded their third defeat of the season, at home to Stoke City.
Once again they failed to keep a clean sheet at the Hawthorns, so defensive improvements are surely high on the agenda for the Croatian.
Our writers have given their verdicts about a potential move for Goldson. Here’s what they have had to say…
Matt Dawson
“Albion’s defensive woes are no secret and rather incredibly they still sit top despite conceding 31 goals, one of the highest numbers in the top six. With that in mind, you’d assume that landing an extra body in defence would be at the height of Slaven Bilic’s priorities during the window.
“Goldson has been impressive this term, scoring three times in the Scottish Premiership, but it’s his defensive work that catches the eye. He’s been part of a Rangers backline that has conceded just 11 strikes in 19 league outings. That stat suggests he knows how to keep organised in the middle of the defence and it is experience like that which could prove decisive for Albion.”
Jack Saville
“A move for Connor Goldson could guarantee promotion to the Premier League but pertinently it represents something of a pipe dream under the circumstances.
“The towering 6ft 3 defender has been a colossal presence at the heart of Rangers’ backline ever since he signed for the club in July 2018 and his performances have merited interest from the Championship table-toppers.
“The fact he has strong experience playing for a club with ambitions of topping their domestic division suggests he possesses the mental attributes to thrive under the pressure of a Premier League promotion push, but ultimately West Brom’s interest may be in vain.
“With Rangers in a strong position to finally end Celtic’s relentless SPFL dominance, it seems unlikely that the Baggies will be able to lure Goldson away from Ibrox in the January window.
“It would be a big surprise if a deal was concluded before the deadline passes.”
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Viji Jeevathayalan
“Forget about Connor Goldson’s footballing abilities, West Brom could deliver a major psychological blow to Leeds with a swoop for the centre-back. When you’re battling against a team for the same objective, finding different ways to get any kind of advantage can be the difference-maker. And in the Baggies’ case, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side neck-and-neck with them in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League for next season, pipping them to one of their reported targets (albeit most likely for the summer) could give them an extra edge in the mind-games.
“The race for Goldson represents a battle within a war, and Slaven Bilic must put on his general’s hat and mastermind a sneaky deal for the Rangers defender.”
Lewis Blain
“No clean sheets at home this season. No wins in six league outings. The title race could soon slip out of West Brom’s hands if they aren’t careful.
“The acquisition of a new centre-back should be of utmost importance even with less than a week remaining in the transfer window. Ahmed Hegazi isn’t up to Slaven Bilic’s system and the pairing of Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley just leaks goals, even when they look impressive together.
“Connor Goldson should be top of their list considering the experience he could bring to the side. He’s featured in the Europa League this season and helped keep clean sheets against the likes of Feyenoord and Porto. Meanwhile, West Brom are letting in goals to relegation-threatened Stoke City on a Monday evening. Go figure Bilic. Go and save Albion’s season.”
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It remains to be seen whether or not the Baggies can seal a move for the highly-rated Rangers defender before next Friday’s deadline but failing to add to the squad could cost them severely.
While in other news, West Brom need to do three things if they are to secure this long-term target…