Southampton striker Charlie Austin in talks with West Brom over deadline day move
Albion are trying to sign Charlie Austin on a permanent deal this deadline day to bolster their options up front.
The Baggies, who should also complete loan deals for wingers Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira, have turned to Austin to help support £8m signing Kenneth Zohore.
They approached Southampton about the 30-year-old earlier in the window but Austin wasn’t willing to drop down a division then.
However, he has been told by the Saints he can find a new club in order to play first team football and it’s believed a deal is now capable of being thrashed out.
Bristol City are also keen on Austin, but he is travelling to the Midlands this morning for talks.
Albion are desperate for a goalscorer to replace Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez and Austin is prolific in the Championship, where he has 52 goals in his last 84 appearances.
The Baggies were looking at younger strikers in the window, and were keen on 22-year-old Albian Ajeti from Basel.
But he has completed an £8m move to West Ham this morning, who were able to offer him Premier League wages.
Reports in Scotland claimed Albion also approached Rangers over a deal for 23-year-old hot-head striker Alfredo Morelos.
Diangana and Pereira should complete season-long loan moves from West Ham and Sporting respectively today.
If the Baggies have time before the 5pm deadline they may also look at bringing in a centre-half on loan but the current priority is at the top end of the pitch.
