OPINION
West Brom must attempt to re-sign Izzy Brown from Chelsea this summer with it being likely that Darren Moore will need to make additions to his strikeforce at The Hawthorns.
The Express and Star has reported that Burnley are in the hunt to snap up Jay Rodriguez before the end of the transfer window, while Newcastle United are looking into luring Salomon Rondon to St James’ Park.
If the pair were to leave The Hawthorns this summer, West Brom would be extremely short of options up front leaving Hal Robson-Kanu as the club’s only recognised senior forward.
To stop that nightmare scenario from playing out, Albion must enter talks with Premier League giants Chelsea immediately in a bid to welcome Brown, 21, back to the Black Country, four years after he ditched his blue and white stripes to join the London club.
Without great surprise, Chelsea have barely played Brown, limiting him to just one senior appearance since 2014.
Before leaving the Baggies, Brown had already become the second-youngest player in Premier League history, playing against Wigan in 2014 as a 16-year-old.
Steve Clarke had plans to make him a first team player, but the bright lights of a London club who could offer him more money coaxed the England youth international away from the Midlands – according to statistics website Spotrac, he earns £25,000-a-week at Chelsea.
Brown was on loan at Brighton last season, but failed to score in 14 total appearances for the south coast club, proving that he is not yet ready for Premier League football.
He is certainly ready for the Championship though and his failures at the AMEX will make him realise that he has to take the most of his chance out on loan in the second-tier next term if he is to ever make it at Stamford Bridge.
In 2016/17, the forward was on loan at Rotherham and Huddersfield where he really got to grasps with the Championship, scoring eight goals and supplying six assists in 41 total appearances for both Yorkshire clubs.
Moore must look to welcome Brown back as soon as possible with the season not far away from starting.
West Brom are among the favourites to go back up and signing the 21-year-old would add a crucial spearhead to the club’s attack as they attempt to win the Championship title.