New £4.75m West Brom striker may push out-of-favour player to exit door, he failed to score in 2024/25

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West Brom are busy preparing for the new Championship campaign, and work has started on building a squad capable of pushing for a play-off spot in 2025/26.

It’s been four years since the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League, and with Nat Phillips already signed at The Hawthorns, attention has turned to the forward positions.

It was not the best of seasons for West Brom’s strikers last time out, with only Josh Maja proving to be a consistent threat. However, injuries were a major problem for the Nigeria international and he ended the campaign on 12 goals in 26 games.

Therefore, the signing of Aune Heggebo for £4.7m from SK Brann has come at exactly the right time for Ryan Mason, but now one player could be on their way out of the West Midlands after a difficult first year at the club.

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Devante Cole’s time at West Brom may be coming to an end

With the Norwegian striker now through the door, the likes of Daryl Dike and Devante Cole will be worried about their futures.

According to Birmingham Live, Cole may be moved on this summer now to allow him more game time after a really tough 2024/25.

After leaving Barnsley at the end of his contract just over a year ago, the 30-year-old was looking forward to the challenge of the Championship. However, he played just 14 times in the league, failing to start a single game and registering just 152 minutes on the pitch.

The striker did not find the back of the net in any competition for the senior team at West Brom and now he finds himself even further down the pecking order.

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It just has not worked out for Devante Cole despite being ‘confident’

It was on 31 July 2024 when Cole made the switch to the Baggies, having spent the previous three years at Barnsley.

He scored 18 goals in League One before making the jump back to the Championship, having last played in the division with the Tykes in 2022 and he was hopeful of carrying that form over. On his arrival, the ex-Manchester City youth player said (via: BBC Sport): “I’m really excited to be back in the Championship.

“It was one of my goals to get back to this division as quickly as possible. I’ve got to take my chance when I get it. I’m confident I can score goals. I’m coming here to Albion off the back of a good season at Barnsley. I’ll bring a lot of hard work to the team and I hope to be a real threat.”

Ryan Mason wants fight from his players, and while there is no denying that Cole has that, he perhaps does not have the same quality as others in his position at the club and a move away makes sense for all parties.