West Brom should be eyeing Stockport County transfer raid after Wembley evidence | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion need new forwards and should be eyeing a transfer raid of Stockport County after their clash with Bolton Wanderers at Wembley...

West Bromwich Albion finished 21st and survived while Stockport County finished third and failed to join them in the Championship, but the Hatters could have a sensible transfer target for the Baggies.

With attacking uncertainty looming over The Hawthorns this summer, West Bromwich Albion may need to think creatively in the transfer market. Daryl Dike’s impending departure will leave another hole in the forward department, while Josh Maja’s long-term future is hardly guaranteed either after ongoing speculation surrounding his situation.

Both players have also lacked durability and availability in the last few years and that means the Baggies cannot afford to head into next season relying on them or any younger potential alone.

Regardless of whether Aune Heggebo continues his development or another striker arrives alongside him, West Brom need at least one other forward.

They need a player capable of unsettling defenders physically, stretching the pitch, and bringing genuine chaos to Championship back-lines. The club have often lacked that edge in recent years, with West Brom finishing in their lowest position in 26 years and perhaps in need of a change of direction.

The League One play-off final at Wembley may have provided them with the ideal reminder of exactly the type of profile they should be targeting. During Stockport County's 4-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers, one attacker consistently caused problems with his aggression, movement, and relentless running.

Despite ending up on the losing side, he looked capable of making the jump to Championship level and arguably appeared one of the most dangerous players on the pitch throughout long spells of the game. That player scored once and it was disallowed for a foul, and then again in normal time once, which was Adama Sidibeh.

His rise has been truly remarkable in recent years. Having began his football career in his native Gambia, he then started playing for Marimoo and Gambia Ports Authority prior to his move to England in 2022 to reunite with his family. Sidibeh then ended up with AFC Blackpool, Cheadle Heath Nomads, and Warrington Rylands 1906.

It was north of the border where Sidibeh really started to catch the eye, with St Johnstone taking a chance on him. However, he was only there for a couple of years before Sidibeh found himself enjoying a hugely productive spell at Stockport, scoring 10 goals and bagging an assist in 25 appearances and quickly establishing himself as a focal point in attack.

At 27, he is not necessarily a long-term project signing, but Championship clubs like West Brom should not dismiss players purely because they are not 21 with resale value attached. Sometimes, proven quality that is also on the rise, as well as both fit and suitability matter more. On that front, Sidibeh looks tailor-made for the demands of the division.

He is powerful, mobile and aggressive out of possession, whilst also possessing the ability to run channels and occupy defenders physically. Against Bolton at Wembley, he was a constant nuisance to the back-line, repeatedly forcing defenders into uncomfortable situations through his persistence and athleticism.

He looked visibly frustrated to be taken off, with Bolton then going on to secure a 4-1 victory over their north-west rivals.

It's fair to say that Sidibeh has qualities West Brom have lacked too often when their attacking play has become predictable or passive. Perhaps most importantly, there is reason to believe he could dovetail nicely alongside Heggebo.

While Heggebo's game may revolve more around his power in the air and his work-rate, they could benefit as a duo. The link-up play and occupying spaces intelligently would be very prevalent with them together. Sidibeh would provide the chaos factor and vertical running that complements those attributes well.

Championship success is often built around strike partnerships with contrasting profiles, and there are signs this combination could offer exactly that. With Maja as well, that could be a strong trio of options for James Morrison to utilise and rotate if they bring in the Stockport ace.

The financial outlay may not be insignificant given Stockport’s position after failing to gain promotion, even with Sidibeh’s recent form. But West Brom are reaching a point where they need decisive recruitment rather than safe options. If Wembley proved anything, it is that Sidibeh looks ready for the next step.