West Bromwich Albion fans would have been nervously checking social media right until the end of transfer deadline day as one statement deal hung in the balance.
The promotion chasers would unbelievably swoop in at the last minute to try and clinch a loan deal for Southampton star Adam Armstrong, with the lateness of the deal worrying many as to whether it had gone through in time for the 11pm cut-off.
Thankfully – alongside also picking up the services of Tammer Bany on deadline day – this move would eventually be confirmed, with Armstrong one purchase that could really help Tony Mowbray’s men to consolidate a playoff spot in the unforgiving Championship.
What Armstrong can offer West Brom
Armstrong, after all, has a long-standing reputation in the second tier for being a potent finisher of chances, which is evident when examining his last goal-laden season at the level.
Across a sparkling 2023/24 campaign, which ended with Southampton sealing promotion up to the Premier League, the ex-Newcastle United man would bag a weighty 24 league strikes from 49 clashes, with this goal at Wembley against Leeds United the crucial strike that saw the Saints dramatically move back up to the top-flight.
Therefore, he could be just what Tony Mowbray’s side need to aid their own ongoing promotion aspirations, especially with main striker Josh Maja currently sidelined.
Armstrong might well end up forming a frightening attacking duo with Karlan Grant if everything clicks into place, with Grant a reinvigorated figure at the Hawthorns this campaign so far, with a reasonable output of six league goals from 29 contests.
But, away from the attacking pair in question, West Brom have missed a trick in the striker department when it comes to this former dud, who is outscoring both Armstrong and Grant this season with one of the Baggies’ promotion rivals in Blackburn Rovers.
The former dud now outscoring Armstrong and Grant
West Brom supporters would be forgiven for forgetting that Andreas Weimann was ever on the books of the West Midlands outfit, having only briefly been at the club for 13 games last campaign.
In truth, it would end up being a largely underwhelming loan spell for the vastly experienced Austrian, with the former Bristol City attacker only picking up two goals and two assists donning his new colours, before then briskly returning to the Robins.
Weimann hasn’t let this bump in the road negatively impact him, however, with the 33-year-old finding a new lease of life at Ewood Park in the here and now away from being a forgotten figure at the Hawthorns.
Indeed, the well-travelled Blackburn number 14 actually boasts more goals this season than both Armstrong and Grant in all competitions, with a worry that the hyped-up Armstrong might struggle to recapture his Championship best straight away after a sometimes barren campaign in the Premier League.
Stat
Weimann
Armstrong
Grant
Games played
29
23
30
Goals scored
8
3
6
Assists
1
2
2
In total, the rejuvenated attacker boasts nine goal contributions across 29 contests, whilst Armstrong limps over the line with just five contributions from 23 games.
Grant is only one off Weimann’s total in all fairness, but with the Vienna-born forward’s added strength of being able to play all across the attacking positions coming into the equation, Mowbray would love to have the utility figure around now to gift his team another option up top.
Ageing like a fine wine under John Eustace – who even labelled the 33-year-old as a “class act” recently – Weimann will just hope he can keep these electric performances coming for his current employers, whilst Armstrong aims to hit the ground running as soon as possible alongside Grant and Co.
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