Striker West Brom bid £2.5m for jets in at new club with deal ‘finally agreed’

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Ryan Mason is convinced Aune Heggebo will make a big impact at West Bromwich Albion but – a first Baggies goal in the Carabao Cup aside – this still feels like a side in need of further attacking additions.

Josh Maja’s flying start to the 2024/25 campaign was curtailed by injury. And, at this stage, Daryl Dike’s own fitness issues need no introduction.

So, while the £4.7 million summer signing’s impressive start is early justification for those who claimed Aune Heggebo would be a hit in the Championship, the final few weeks of the window could conceivably be the difference between a top-six charge and another underwhelming mid-table finish at the Hawthorns.

Chris Ramos, though, will not be answering West Brom’s call.

It was reported a fortnight ago that West Bromwich Albion had submitted a £2.5 million bid for the late-blooming Cadiz frontman. With ten goals across the Spanish Segunda campaign, Ramos would have moved to England on the back of the most prolific season of his career.

Now, however, just days after West Brom’s pursuit allegedly slowed to a halt, Brazilian giants Botafogo have slammed their foot onto the accelerator while speeding theirs up.

Chris Ramos joining Botafogo after reported West Brom bid

Juan Cala, Cadiz’s sporting director, confirmed on Wednesday that Chris Ramos is potentially just hours away from becoming a Botafogo player.

The reigning Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Serie A champions are signing the 28-year-old on loan with an option to buy clause included, though it remains to be seen if Cadiz reneged on their initial £4.5 million asking price.

“The player has left for Rio de Janeiro, and we hope the contract will be signed today,” Cala explains.

“Chris’s deal has been in the works for weeks. A loan has finally been agreed upon, and we believe it’s the best option for Cadiz.”

“I’m very happy for this opportunity I’ve been given,” Ramos himself told the reporters waiting for him as his flight arrived in Rio. “For me, Brazilian football is a very lively affair. My Brazilian and South American colleagues tell me so.

“Botafogo is a well-known club in Spain. Last year, they won the Libertadores and league titles, and I’m going to give everything for these colours.”

Baggies linked with Dapo Afolayan as Aune Heggebo makes flying start

Exactly why West Brom did not make further progress in pursuit of the 6ft 3ins frontman is not quite clear, at this stage.

Perhaps, having already spent nearly £5 million on Heggebo, they had reservations about stumping up a similar fee for another striker. One who may not be guaranteed a place in Mason’s starting XI once Maja is fully fit and his new Norwegian rival has settled in.

Then again, Heggebo does not look like a man in need of a period of adaptation.

He was included in WhoScored’s Championship Team of the Week after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. The former SK Brann sensation then opened his Baggies account before Derby County triumphed on penalties in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

According to reports, West Brom could turn to ex-Bolton winger Dapo Afolayan in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements. Outstanding in the third-tier with the Trotters, Afolayan played Bundesliga football with St Pauli last time out.

Kian Best could join on loan from Chelsea, meanwhile, as a potential replacement for Torbjorn Heggem at the other end of the pitch.

Bologna hope to lure Heggem to Italy for a fee in the region of £10 million.