West Brom linked with Graziano Pelle - the Eredivisie striker scoring over a goal a game

Graziano Pelle

Reports in the Sunday People suggest that West Brom are looking at Feyenoord striker Graziano Pelle to solve their current goal scoring woes.

The 28-year-old Italian scored 27 goals in 29 appearances last season, and has continued in a similar vein this season, with 10 in nine games.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the move is rumoured to be worth a cut price £500k, as Feyenoord aim to gain at least some money for their star striker.

As a collective, West Brom have only scored seven goals this season. Whilst the situation in front of goal has improved since they scored their first of the season – in their fourth game at Fulham – their strikers are still yet to score. Summer signings Nicolas Anelka, Victor Anichebe and Matej Vydra are all yet to get off the mark, as the baggies continue to miss Romelu Lukaku.

Pelle has had no such problems in front of goal, with this seasons haul meaning that he has now scored 37 in 39 for Feyenoord in his time at the club.

Pelle goals scored

Of his ten goals, nine have come from inside the box, including four headed goals. At 6 foot 4, he provides a physical presence, and would therefore seem to be a like for like replacement for Lukaku, and the ideal focal point for the West Brom attack.

His physicality means that he provides more than just goals. He has won 48 of his 81 headed duals, and created 12 chances for his teammates.

Of West Brom’s current strikers, only Shane Long and Victor Anichebe have averaged more than one chance created per game. Pelle would provide the similar physical presence and build up play to Anichebe, but with the killer touch in front of goal.

In his last match, he hit a hat trick as Feyenoor won 4-2 at home to Den Haag. Shooting five times, he hit more shots in one game than Long, Anelka, Vydra and Anichebe have individually managed over the entire season.

Unsurprisingly, the forward was also named man of the match in that game, scoring a Squawka performance score of 105.

With the Baggies front line stuttering so far this season, it is no surprise that Steve Clarke is looking towards one of Europe’s form strikers for inspiration.

Providing a physical focal point for the West Brom attack, and at a bargain price, it would come as no surprise if West Brom’s current interest led to a more concrete offer.