West Brom's worst transfer deals since 2015/16 - including £15m flop and Cardiff striker

West Bromwich Albion are approaching what will be their fifth consecutive Championship season, heading into it with a brand-new manager at the helm. But there may not be much patience for Ryan Mason after recent issues at the club have seen the Baggies fall behind rivals.

West Brom have received scrutiny in recent years after a series of big-money moves in the late 2010s, many of which failed as the club were relegated twice and have struggled to even reach the play-offs since.

Albion are regularly amongst the biggest spenders in the Championship with one of the higher wage bills in the division and so improvement is demanded at the club, both internally and externally. How Mason will do in his first season in management remains to be seen but in the meantime, we decided to have a look at some of the failed transfer moves the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant should look not to emulate.

West Brom’s worst signings since 2015/16

Still the club’s joint-second most expensive signing to this day, Oliver Burke arrived from RB Leipzig for £15million in 2017 and will not be remembered too fondly by Baggies fans. The young Scotsman was viewed as a miracle of nature with vast potential, but this was not realised at the Hawthorns as he made just 24 appearances in three years, before two loan spells and a permanent move to Sheffield United on a swap deal with Callum Robinson in 2020. Burke has struggled to find himself a real home ever since, recently signing for Union Berlin in Germany.

Another big-money forward who failed to deliver at West Brom, Kenneth Zohore signed for £8m - a huge fee for a Championship side - from Cardiff City in 2019 and scored just three Championship goals in his debut season as the Baggies were promoted. Slaven Bilic decided his marquee signing was surplus to requirements in the Premier League and he was loaned out to Millwall before several unsuccessful attempts to offload him permanently. Now 31, Zohore plays in the third tier in his native Denmark.

More disappointing West Brom signings who flopped at the Hawthorns

Possibly the most confusing signing on this list, Zhang Yuning was signed for £6m from Vitesse Arnhem in 2017 but never made a single appearance for the Baggies. It was alleged by reports that the Chinese striker’s full transfer fee was covered by owner Lai, meaning this transfer was as much of a business or PR move than a signing for the football club. Zhang returned to play in his native China just two years later and now has 42 caps for his national side.

Grady Diangana lit up the Championship while on loan with the Baggies in 2019/20, prompting the club to splash a huge reported £18m fee on a permanent move from West Ham United. Albion’s record signing struggled to reach the heights of his loan spell ever again, registering just 18 goals in 171 appearances. He was released this summer following the end of his contract and as of right now is reportedly still without a club, amidst interest from Rangers and Saudi Arabia.

Finally, a big-money disappointment who is still at the club. Daryl Dike joined for £7m from Orlando City four years ago but has struggled with consistent injury issues, making only 39 appearances for the club - just 11 of those in the last two seasons combined. With just eight goals to show for his time at the Hawthorns, Dike has one year remaining on his contract and will hope to return from a latest injury setback to play an important role next season. Otherwise, his time at West Brom could also soon be over.