OPINION
West Brom must attempt to sign Watford forward Andre Gray this summer as Darren Moore may find himself in desperate need of new strikers before the transfer window slams shut in a matter of weeks.
Gray, 27, was signed by Watford for a club record fee of £18million from Burnley last summer, but the Wolverhampton-born ace has struggled to adapt to life at Vicarage Road, scoring just five goals in 16 Premier League starts.
The Hornets are yet to sign a new centre-forward themselves this summer, but with Richarlison widely reported to be on his way to Everton for over £40million, Javi Gracia could spend big on bolstering his attack, which may push £70,000-a-week (Spotrac) Gray further down the pecking order.
The former Burnley star, who is on the books of super-agent Jorge Mendes, has proven himself to be a prolific striker in the Championship and signing a player like him would be a perfect move for the Baggies, who will be gunning for an instant return to the Premier League.
Across spells at both Burnley and Brentford, Gray has scored 41 goals in 88 Championship appearances and would almost certainly be within a shout of winning the golden boot should Albion look to sign him up.
Salomon Rondon has a widely-cited release clause of £16.5million which means he could leave The Hawthorns, as well as Jay Rodriguez, who has been linked with a return to Gray’s old stomping ground Burnley.
Losing both of them is very much a possibility, so Moore should look to sign Gray as soon as possible to avoid late panic buys as the deadline gets nearer and nearer.