According to French newspaper L’Equipe, West Brom are keen on signing Saint-Etienne centre-back Harold Moukoudi on loan before Friday’s transfer deadline as manager Slaven Bilic looks to bolster his defence.
What’s the word?
It is believed that several Championship teams are chasing the 22-year-old, including title rivals Leeds United, Derby County and Stoke City.
However, the source also claims that the Ligue 1 outfit would rather sell him permanently this month, instead of a six-month temporary switch.
Claude Puel has already offloaded two players in January, but it is thought that he would be keen on shedding a few more before the end of the window.
Instant upgrade
The Baggies have suffered defensively all season yet still remain in the strong position of holding the lead in the Championship table.
They’ve only managed to keep a clean sheet in 18% of their league outings, whilst at the Hawthorns this term, they are yet to record a single shutout. That’s quite a damning prospect for a team that could be several points clear at the top had they actually kept teams out.
Bilic could improve their chances of earning a return to the promised land with the addition of Moukoudi as he’d be an instant upgrade to the central defensive department.
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The 6 foot 3 colossus has been impressing for Saint-Etienne this campaign, putting up numbers that are much stronger than summer arrival Semi Ajayi, for instance.
Per WhoScored, Moukoudi is averaging 3.8 clearances, 2.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 0.9 blocks per game, whilst his suitability to Bilic’s passing system is also an excellent fit as he has managed a passing success rate of 86.8%, having also averaged a vast 52.2 passes per game.
SciSports labelled him as a “physically strong defender, who uses his aerial strength in defence and is a threat during offensive set-pieces as well”
Ajayi, on the other hand, tarnished his reputation at the Hawthorns with a silly red card against West Ham in the FA Cup and his figures for the season so far aren’t on the same level.
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Again via WhoScored, the 26-year-old has recorded fewer tackles (1.1), interceptions (0.9) and blocks (0.6), and is even ten passes short of the Cameron international.
Moukoudi also comes primed with experience on the Europa League stage after making three appearances in the competition this term.
He’d be a much-welcome solution to West Brom’s defensive woes.
And in other news, Slaven Bilic can atone for his £8m summer blunder by signing this fellow transfer target…