West Brom set to beat Derby County, QPR to Bristol City transfer raid | OneFootball

West Brom have sought to address their goalkeeper situation with the addition of Bristol City's Max O'Leary

West Brom have made a move for Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary to address their goalkeeper issues, with Eric Ramsay's side having shipped eight goals in his opening two games in charge of the Baggies.

Eric Ramsay looks set to make his first signing in charge of West Brom, with Bristol City's Max O'Leary looking set to link up with the Baggies squad this month, as per Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas.

O'Leary has fallen out of favour this campaign at Ashton Gate under Gerhard Struber, with Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek taking the mantle of the Robins' number one.

The once-capped Irish international has made just five league appearances this season, having been the club's number one for each of the prior three seasons before this one, and now looks set to leave the club he has spent his entire career with this January.

West Brom address goalkeeper issue with capture of Bristol City's Max O'Leary

Indeed, West Brom have struggled with their current goalkeeper situation this season, with both Joshua Griffiths and Joe Wildsmith having been tried in goal on different occasions.

Previous boss Ryan Mason decided to drop Griffiths after a 3-2 home victory over Swansea City in favour of Wildsmith, a decision which proved to be a big call, though it didn't exactly have the effect he would've hoped.

Wildsmith would be at fault for two goals as the Baggies lost 3-2 away to Queens Park Rangers in early December, though he would retain his place between the sticks right up until Mason's departure.

Ramsay has reintroduced Griffiths into the side since he arrived at The Hawthorns, though, having conceded eight goals in their last two games, the Welsh boss has seen enough to address the goalkeeper area as a point of weakness.

O'Leary, 29, has just six months remaining on his deal at Ashton Gate, and is available for cheap this month, with each of QPR, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County registering an interest in the Irishman.

However, it appears as though it is the Baggies who have won the race for his signature, and it's likely that he will be immediately given the chance to stake his claim as the number one keeper at West Brom upon his arrival.

Each of QPR, Blackburn, and Derby had all previously been interested in the capture of O'Leary this month, but West Brom have pipped their fellow Championship rivals to the post.

QPR have used three goalkeepers in their past four league games, namely Paul Nardi, Joe Walsh, and Ben Hamer, and with Murphy Cooper once again heading out on loan, it seems as though Julien Stephan's side are discontent with their current goalkeeping crop.

Blackburn have used both Balasz Toth and Aynsley Pears across this season, but with Pears out injured, it has meant 18-year-old Nicholas Michalski has had to step up to the bench, with Valerien Ismael's squad short in that department.

Derby were forced to give 37-year-old Richard O'Donnell his Rams debut in their 2-1 away win over Charlton Athletic after Jacob Widell Zetterstrom felt light-headed in the warm-up, and with Josh Vickers left injured, it has left them short on numbers.

Though it is the Baggies who have seemingly won the race for O'Leary's signature, with Ramsay will be hoping can provide a calm and steady presence between the sticks during this turbulent period for the club.