Leeds United ‘explore’ deadline deal West Brom star as transfer target ‘verbally agrees’ deal

Leeds United are said to be eyeing a late move for West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante.

The Baggies rejected two offers up to £2.5m from Stoke City on Thursday, but now one of the Championship's big hitters have entered the race, and have big pockets to make a deal happen.

A report from Football Insider claims that Leeds are 'exploring' a late move for Thomas-Asante, according to their sources. Leeds are all too aware of Thomas-Asante who netted against them in controversial circumstances in the 1-1 draw at Elland Road earlier this month.

“I think that the interest, for me, which appeared in Asante was not an interest that showed the level of Asante,” said Carlos Corberan to BirminghamLive when questioned about Stoke’s interest.

“I like to see that the club value the players that we have right now. Playing for West Bromwich, as a first XI striker, you can understand that he is a very good Championship striker.

“We have very good strikers with him, and Maja, two strikers who are totally different. They can give us different things in terms of the pitch and I am very happy to have them in the squad.”

West Brom are reluctant to part with Thomas-Asante given the lack of striking options that they have. He and Josh Maja are considered their only recognised forwards because Daryl Dike is on the sidelines with an Achilles problem. Both Maja and Thomas-Asante have dealt with niggling injuries this month, and at times West Brom have had to play without a recognised forward.

When asked about his predictions for the remainder of the day, he said: “For me, it has been busy - not only regarding players who we are looking to bring in, but also the club is making a lot of effort to protect the players we have here right now and to protect the competitiveness level by keeping players in the squad.

“Still, of course, we have hours in front of us and I cannot know what is going to happen because there are things that are not in our control.”

A potential departure from The Hawthorn’s was not ruled out by Corberan, who would like to bring in reinforcements, but is limited by what he can do. It was reported they tried to make a late move for Cody Drameh, but he was set on a move to Birmingham City.

In other news, Swansea City and AFC Bournemouth have ‘verbally agreed’ a deal for Jamal Lowe, who was a reported transfer target for West Brom, Norwich City and Stoke City. Sky Sports journalist Mark McAdam, says that a deal is still being finalised, and that multiple Championship clubs are still interested in the player.