West Brom urged to reconsider multi-million transfer attempts - "invest that money elsewhere" | OneFootball

FLW's Baggies Fan Pundit has his say on the Chris Ramos transfer news

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Bromwich Albion have submitted a bid for Cadiz striker Christopher Ramos, but have been urged to invest that money elsewhere. The 28-year-old Spanish forward scored ten goals in 37 appearances for Cadiz in La Liga 2 last season and has attracted interest from multiple clubs.

Along with the Baggies - who have reportedly tabled an offer of €2.5m - Rayo Vallecano have offered €2.5m plus bonuses, while Real Oviedo previously bid €2m for the striker.

Journalist Matteo Moretto has stated that Cadiz are holding firm on their €5m asking price, which would seem to make any deal complicated for the interested parties.

West Brom questioned over need for another striker

FLW's Baggies Fan Pundit, Callum Burgess, believes the club already has sufficient depth in attack and outlines what position he'd prefer the money was spent on.

"I think with Dike, Maja, Heggebo and Grant, you’ve got enough striker options up front, even though there are question marks over the reliability of Dike and Maja after their time at Albion has been so injury-hit," Burgess told FLW.

Josh Maja has featured in pre-season after spending six months out injured after a stress fracture in his lower league required surgery - he still finished West Brom's top scorer last season with 12 goals.

Director of medical at the West Midlands club, Tony Strudwick, told BBC Radio WM that Daryl Dike was "thriving" in pre-season training. The American appeared eleven times last season, with his West Brom career being blighted with a number of serious injuries since joining in 2022. He has since been injured again - alongside Tammer Bany - and the pair will miss the start of next season.

The recent addition of Aune Heggebo for £4.7m from SK Brann provides further competition, having scored seven goals in 13 Eliteserien appearances already this season - the Norwegian season starts earlier due to the weather.

Karlan Grant and Devante Cole are also forward options at the club, though the latter is expected to depart The Hawthorns amid reports a number of League One sides are interested in his services.

Albion told to spend the Ramos money in midfield

Burgess told FLW that due to Cadiz apparently holding out for more money - in what is already a somewhat large fee - West Brom should look to spend that sum on a midfielder.

"I would say that as well with a fee, it is probably going to be a decent amount. If that's not going to be enough to sign him, then I’d probably be more leaning towards wanting to invest that money elsewhere - so maybe like a midfielder, for example, if one was available," Burgess added.

"That would be my choice (signing a midfielder) rather than going for another striker because, personally, I mentioned our list of strikers and I didn’t even mention Devante Cole - even though he’s surplus to requirements.

"So, I think Albion’s got enough in that department, and I'd like to see more money spent elsewhere," he concluded.

In truth, Ramos doesn't look like the prolific striker needed for a promotion push in the second-tier of English football. 24/25 was the only campaign where he scored more than seven goals across all competitions - and he's not played at a higher level than La Liga 2 yet.

The abundance of forward options that West Brom currently have does clearly back Burgess' reservations about pursuing Ramos - particularly if he feels the club might benefit more from strengthening other areas of the squad.