OPINION
West Brom fans have been treated to an attacking spectacle in the early stages of the season, with the likes of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez forming quite the partnership up top.
The pair of strikers cannot complain about the service they have been receiving though, with Harvey Barnes, Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt among the names tasked with supplying the forwards with their goal scoring opportunities.
Now those leading the line have yet another name to add to their list, with the Baggies confirming the capture of former Crystal Palace and Wolves winger Bakary Sako on a free transfer.
We've signed @sakobakary26!
?? ? ??#WBA https://t.co/mzbXbbK3Og
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) October 2, 2018
The 30-year-old is an experienced head in the Championship with a proven record to match, scoring 24 goals and chipping in with a further 21 assists in his 78 second tier outings, a stat sheet which should take an already potent West Brom attack to the next level.
However, Sako’s arrival is not good news for everyone, and it appears to be another nail in the coffin of Oliver Burke’s career at the Hawthorns.
The 21-year-old winger was a big money signing for the Baggies last summer, being touted as the next big thing following his time at RB Leipzig, but he failed to live up to anywhere near the expectations placed on his shoulders.
On a wage of £30,000-a-week (source: Spotrac), the winger has appeared just once in the league this season, and after being left as an unused substitute, was completely absent from the match day squad for the last three games.
Sako’s arrival does nothing for his hopes and quite frankly the writing is on the wall for the youngster, who is evidently nowhere to be found in Darren Moore’s plans.
An exit beckons, that much seems certain, and the only question is whether it will be temporary or permanent.
A significant fall from grace for the former hotly rated star, who is being left to rot in the Baggies’ reserves.