West Brom weigh up Dieumerci Mbokani move
West Brom were today weighing up the next move in their summer striker hunt after potential target Dieumerci Mbokani again set his sights on moving to England.
The Congo international is back in Belgium and eyeing potential options in the Premier League after talks with Dynamo Kiev broke down.
And that leaves West Brom facing a decision on whether to step up their interest in the Anderlecht forward, who has been monitored for a while by Hawthorns officials but is just one of the forwards on their short-list.
The Baggies scouted Mbokani regularly this season as his 19 goals helped Anderlecht claim the Belgian title.
But they have yet to open talks with the Brussels club about the 27-year-old, who previously played for Standard Liege and Monaco.
Mbokani confirmed midway through last season that he planned to leave Belgium this summer and expressed a desire to try his luck in England.
But it appeared yesterday that he was set for a surprise move to Eastern Europe when he was spotted at Kiev's training ground, sparking reports in the Ukranian media that he was about to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
However, sources in Belgium last night claimed the player had returned home without an agreement following two days in Kiev and remained keen to explore his options in England.
West Brom's forward line faces a potential overhaul this summer, with Romelu Lukaku's future uncertain following his successful season-long loan from Chelsea.
Peter Odemwingie is keen to move on and Markus Rosenberg has struggled to make an impact in his first season at the Hawthorns.
Shane Long is under contract for next season and remains in talks over an extended deal.
And the former Reading forward boosted his profile last night with an impressive goal for the Republic of Ireland in their 1-1 draw with England at Wembley.
He was singled out for praise by Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who said: "Three or four of our young players grew.
"They need experience and only against the great teams and great players can they grow. I am happy with James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Long.
"For me, they were the three best players on the pitch. This group, for me, is good."
