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Things have not gone to plan for Karlan Grant since his move to West Bromwich Albion in the summer.

The 23-year-old striker was purchased from Huddersfield Town for £12m and he subsequently signed a whopping six-year deal to tie him down at The Hawthorns until 2026.

It was no secret that the Baggies were in desperate need of additional firepower as they stumbled their way to promotion and Grant fit the bill as a young and hungry option with bags of potential.

In a struggling Terriers side, he bagged 19 goals in 44 appearances, which had him down as the Championship’s fourth-most prolific scorer for the 2019/20 campaign.

He was just over a handful of goals behind former Brentford, and now Aston Villa’s £33m man, Ollie Watkins (26) and easily outscored Albion’s top-scorers, Charlie Austin (ten) and Hal Robson-Kanu (ten).

“For promoted teams, chances are usually at a premium, so they need somebody who is ruthless in front of goal. Karlan is definitely that,” explained his former boss Danny Cowley to The Athletic. “He scored a lot of goals in a team that was struggling and without his goals, we wouldn’t have stayed in the division.”

That review wasn’t too dissimilar to that of Lee Bowyer when the pair were at The Valley, he lauded: “The kid causes problems and scores goals.”

It looks an obvious upgrade, in all honesty.

However, despite previously having decent form in the big time, Grant has looked wholly out of his depth and that’s been noticed by both of West Brom’s managers this season.

Grant has been limited to just 1,095 minutes – or 14 starts – in which he’s found the net just once. That’s one goal for £12m. One goal in over a thousand minutes of game time.

Under Bilic, the former Charlton star completed the full 90 minutes just once and now under Sam Allardyce, he’s effectively a forgotten man, playing just seven minutes from the bench in their last eight outings.

January loan arrival Mbaye Diagne has usurped him in the pecking order, and if Big Sam remains at the helm, you have to wonder if there’s any way back for him next season.

Given the finances spent, Grant is bordering on being another attacking flop to grace the West Midlands. Some similarities could be drawn to that of Oliver Burke, who cost then-Baggies boss Tony Pulis a club-record £15m in 2017.

The Scotsman, who is now at relegated Sheffield United, scored once and delivered three assists in 24 appearances across three seasons. He did more for the U23s than the senior side.

Currently, Grant is on track to be worse than that after just one season at the club. He’s now valued at just over £8m by Transfermarkt – another worrying sign considering his age and the length of his £30k-per-week contract.

Unless anything vastly changes between now and the start of the 2021/22 season, the 23-year-old dynamo could well be Albion’s next mega-money disaster.

AND in other news, West Brom dealt fresh injury blow ahead of Leicester clash…

Crystal Palace are poised to make a bid for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as the summer transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

With Palace still to appoint a successor to Roy Hodgson, chairman Steve Parish is overseeing a major squad rebuild, and Gallagher could be the first addition, according to The Sun.

A £15 million offer is set to be tabled by the south London outfit, although the report claims that the England U21 international is keen on staying and fighting for his place at Stamford Bridge.

Palace need him

The 21-year-old impressed throughout a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2020/21 and has attracted the attention of several top-flight sides in recent weeks.

Gallagher made 30 Premier League appearances for the Baggies last season, scoring two goals and laying on a further two assists but was unable to prevent Sam Allardyce’s side from suffering relegation.

However, his overall performances boosted his reputation considerably, and Palace are thought to see the youngster as someone who can play a pivotal part in their engine room for years to come.

Central midfielders James McCarthy and James McArthur are set to depart Selhurst Park at the end of the month when their contracts expire, meaning fresh legs will be needed ahead of the new campaign.

The report goes on to claim that the capital club could be aided in their pursuit of Gallagher if either Frank Lampard or Swansea City manager Steve Cooper are appointed as Hodgson’s replacement in the coming weeks.

Lampard has experience of managing the box-to-box midfielder during his time at Chelsea, while Cooper has done so in the England youth set-up.

That isn’t the only connection between Gallagher and the former Blues boss, though, after ex-West Brom tactician Slaven Bilic addressed comparisons between the pair.“It isn’t going to help the boy to have so much praise, and I’m not a big fan of that, but you can’t help but notice it,” Bilic said on the Lampard comparison.“He ticks those boxes. He plays in the same position, he has everything, and it’s not a little bit of everything, it’s a lot of everything.”

Bringing in Gallagher would be seen as a significant coup by Parish this summer. Palace need the youngster with players leaving and his arrival could help to retain their Premier League status next season.

And, in other news…Worse than Nuno: Palace must avoid potential Hodgson successor with 42.51% win record 

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is attracting increasing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Mirror, who claim that Newcastle United are now plotting a £30m bid for the 26-year-old at the end of the season, with the Denmark international said to be high on Eddie Howe’s list of transfer targets this summer.

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The report goes on to state that AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho is also interested in a move for the midfielder in the off-season, with the Serie A side having already failed in a bid to bring Hojbjerg to the Stadio Olimpico last summer.

Disaster

Considering how important a part of Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side Hojbjerg quite clearly is, the argument that Fabio Paratici cashing in on the midfielder this summer would be something of a disaster is an easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 31 Premier League appearances so far this season, the £59m-rated Dane has been imperious in the heart of the Spurs midfield, scoring two goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game.

However, it is his defensive metrics that are particularly impressive, with the £102k-per-week dynamo making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.3 tackles, 1.3 clearances and winning 5.3 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Rob Davies dubbed a “one-man wrecking machine” average a quite sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.16, ranking him as Conte’s second-best performing midfielder – behind only Dejan Kulusevski – in the top flight.

As such, considering his status in the Tottenham squad, his incredibly impressive level of performance on the pitch and the fact that Newcastle’s proposed offer is roughly half of the 26-year-old’s current market valuation, it is clear to see that selling Hojbjerg for £30m this summer would be something of a catastrophic error by Paratici – especially to a team who could well be a top-four contender next time out.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Spurs dealt yet another major injury setback, Antonio Conte will be fuming

With Gareth Southgate’s England squad close to being announced, one Aston Villa man who the Three Lions boss should absolutely be bringing into the fold, is Matty Cash.

England have got three World Cup qualifiers to come at the end of this month, and reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that out of Villa’s English contingent, the main two new boys could well be Ezri Konsa and Matt Targett.

All three of Villa’s defenders, and of course the already established Tyrone Mings, should be names Southgate surely has to be familiar with given the Midlands club’s outstanding performances in the Premier League this season – Dean Smith’s side currently lie in ninth in the table.

Speaking just back in January, Gabriel Agbonlahor lauded the £17m-rated Cash, urging the England boss to be keeping an eye on him and the others. He said: “I just hope Gareth Southgate is getting to see as many Villa games as he can because I feel Konsa, as well as Matty Cash and Matt Targett, are going under the radar a little.”

As per Whoscored, Cash has averaged an impressive 2.6 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game in the Premier League this campaign, both of which rank him first among all of Villa’s players – and by quite some distance too.

But he’s not just a reliable force defensively either, also progressing as an attacking outlet for Smith too. His average of 0.8 key passes per game ranks him seventh for Villa, and is fourth on the list for crosses per match with 0.7.

And, when you compare those numbers to a couple of England’s other mainstays at right-back over the past couple of years, the Villa man does come out looking good.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker have all averaged significantly fewer tackles and interceptions per match than Cash, while the Villa man also favours better offensively compared to the Man City full-back.

It’s no surprise that former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has dubbed him “sensational”, while adding: “Cash has come in and he has been flawless. He has taken to the club like a duck to water. You have to give credit to the player and the recruitment department. They have obviously done their homework. He has been one of their shining lights this season.”

So while Konsa, and even Targett, seem to be at the forefront of a potential call-up to the England squad, Southgate should seriously consider bringing in Cash and unleashing him on the international scene.

Meanwhile, Marlon Harewood’s claim could be good news for Ollie Watkins…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could strike fear into the rest of the Premier League by signing Spain star Adama Traore this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Whites are interested in signing the Wolves winger, with claims back in December revealing that Bielsa’s side were keen on luring him to Elland Road.

If the Yorkshire club can pull off a deal for the Spanish flier, then it could well help form a terrifying duo alongside Raphinha.

Imagine him and Raphinha

Dubbed a “machine” and someone who “scares defenders” by former Leeds man Rio Ferdinand, the £100k-a-week earning Traore has got the kind of game-changing pace and ability that could help form a terrifying duo with Raphinha at Elland Road.

Bielsa himself has previously admitted to how tough a player Traore is to mark, saying: “It’s better to follow the man than leave him to a team-mate. I believe, fundamentally, Traore likes to play out wide on the wings. If he dominates the ball on his side he’s difficult to start, so whoever’s marking him will need some support.”

Averaging an impressive 4.1 dribbles per game – the highest in the entire Premier League last season – and being fouled 2.3 times per match – the third-most in the division – Traore is as direct as they come, and never seems to stop wanting to take the full-back on.

Having someone like the Spaniard on the opposite flank to Raphinha would give Leeds a second exciting option for them to turn to and try and change a game.

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If teams even think of trying to double up on Raphinha, then the Whites can simply switch the play to Traore and let him wreak havoc. Managers would have a real hard time coming up with a game-plan that would see them deal that kind of twin threat.

It’s exactly why a move for Traore this summer would be an exciting one for Leeds.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could reunite with this former star at Elland Road…

Football Insider have shared numerous demands Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke has made to Celtic ahead of a potential cut-price move to Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Wyke ‘very keen’

Wyke, who scored 30 goals in 53 appearances last season, is out of contract at the Stadium of Light in a matter of days.

The Hoops began talks with the 28-year-old last week, with a new forward the club’s priority.

Wyke was thought to be ‘very keen’ over a move to Glasgow, but a number of demands have now emerged regarding a possible Scotland switch.

The Latest: Wyke’s demands

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a Celtic source, Wyke is holding out for a deal until 2025.

He’s on £6,400-a-week with Sunderland and reportedly wants his pack packet doubled, should he put pen to paper on a Celtic deal.

Finally, Wyke also wants a multi-million-pound signing-on fee.

The Verdict: What should McKay do?

With no director of football in place, you’d expect new CEO Dominic McKay would be leading discussions with Wyke.

There would be no transfer fee required, but with Wyke wanting a big signing-on fee and a possible £12,800-a-week long-term deal, a move could cost the Hoops over £2.5m in wages alone across the four years.

Wyke, who former Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson described as ‘excellent’, showed in League One that he can find the back of the net with ease, and with Odsonne Edouard still expected to leave the club, the Hoops may be happy to take a punt on Wyke despite being forced to pay a pretty penny for his services.

In other news: Ange Postecoglou already in talks for first Celtic signing as Glasgow arrival sparks action, find out more here. 

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Dean Smith will be delighted after a successful international break for his players.

The Villans have no real injury concerns following the latest round of international fixtures, while the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn were able to steal the headlines during their time with England and Scotland.

Watkins capped off his Three Lions debut against San Marino with a goal, helping his country to a 5-0 win. As for McGinn, the 26-year-old put himself on the back pages in Scotland with an incredible overhead kick, before netting twice against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

The above, and the fact that both players have returned to Bodymoor Heath injury-free, would have delighted Smith, according to Hendrie.

Discussing the recent heroics of Watkins and McGinn, the ex-Villa player told TT:

“It’s massive, you know, when players go out on international duty the first and foremost thing that Dean will want is to make sure that his players are coming back in, they’re fit and ready for the weekend’s game. That’s the only worry for managers, that the players go away and you don’t see them for a week or two.”

On the same topic, Hendrie added:

“Dean will be over the moon. Ollie had his chance where he came on and scored his goal. John’s obviously a key fixture in the Scotland squad at the moment, so he had plenty of minutes. But I think Dean will just be happy that he’s got his two players back through the door and they’re fit and ready to go for the weekend.”

Smith and Villa will also be boosted by the return of captain Jack Grealish, who is now training again following a leg injury.

With Odsonne Edouard facing the Parkhead exit door, Celtic will need to find a replacement striker when the summer transfer window opens.

The Frenchman is close to joining a club in England, which will leave the Hoops in the lurch. After all, he is their top scorer over the last few seasons.

What’s the word?

One player who Celtic may target is Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi. The Bhoys were linked with a move for the physical forward back in January but, without a work permit to play in the United Kingdom, a switch wasn’t possible.

However, he has finally been granted a UK work permit ahead of a potential move in the summer months. The Liverpool Echo claimed that Awoniyi may cost any suitor around £8m-£10m and he certainly has plenty of admirers.

If Celtic are still interested, they will face competition from Fulham, West Brom and Stoke City. A trio of German clubs are also pursuing his signature.

Perfect for Howe?

If and when Eddie Howe finally joins Celtic, finding a new striker should be right at the top of his agenda.

Awoniyi might not have the greatest of goal tallies this season but he’s a player who looks as though he’s improving all the time. He has spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, where he hass scored five goals in 21 matches.

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The 23-year-old’s start to life in the German capital wasn’t great but, from a period between November and January, he proved his worth by netting five goals in seven games.

Described as a striker with “physical robustness”, he could work well in a Celtic side led by Eddie Howe. When in charge of the Cherries, he had Josh King at his disposal, a player with similar physical characteristics who ultimately scored a goal every 3.4 games with Howe at the helm.

Consequently, Awoniyi could also thrive in Scottish football under the stewardship of the seemingly incoming head coach.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this year, German football expert Daniel Pinder said: “I haven’t seen much of Edouard play, but looking at his stats, he scores plenty of goals, and I think Awoniyi could get the goals, but he needs the right players around him as he has at Union Berlin this season.”

Pinder added: “If you look at his form for Union Berlin pre-injury, he is a player that could potentially get 15-20 goals in Scotland.”

With that in mind, Awoniyi would certainly be a valuable addition to Celtic. They must aim to take advantage of his situation this summer.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Turnbull: Celtic fans must be buzzing if Hoops sign “dazzling” 12-goal beast…

Writing for football.london, reliable Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped a behind-the-scenes reveal surrounding those within the club and Moussa Sissoko’s summer exit from north London.

The Lowdown: Spurs mass summer exodus…

In quite an eventful summer transfer window, there were absolutely no shortage of departures from Tottenham as new boss Nuno Espirito Santo and managing director Fabio Paratici undertook a major rebuild.

Indeed, Juan Foyth, Toby Alderweireld, Joe Hart, Danny Rose, Paulo Gazzaniga, Erik Lamela, Serge Aurier and Sissoko all left the club permanently in what you could deem to be a successful clear out (Transfermarkt).

However, Gold has revealed that those within Spurs were left unhappy over one gaffe surrounding the latter man’s move to Watford.

The Latest: Spurs chiefs left seething over Sissoko exit gaffe…

As per the reliable journalist, there were ‘shocked’ and a ‘few angry’ faces inside Spurs when it was announced that the Frenchman was in Xisco’s starting line up to face his old club at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Apparently, Tottenham’s football administration department assumed Sissoko was not registered in time to face Spurs due to the timing of the deadline – but Watford somehow managed to complete his registration in time to make him eligible for the encounter.

The 32-year-old’s inclusion, therefore, ‘annoyed a number of people’ within the club given it is quite rare that a seller would allow a transfer to go through in time to aid the buyer’s efforts against them.

The Verdict: Interesting claim…

While Sissoko’s contribution didn’t amount to much at the weekend, you can understand why Spurs chiefs weren’t happy with his allowed involvement at the time – especially considering how players can often hurt their old sides.

One interesting aspect of this story is how Watford managed to play the midfielder given new signings must be registered by 12pm on the last working day before a match for eligibility.

As explained by Gold, that deadline was midday last Friday, with The Hornets seemingly unable to officially sign Sissoko until much later that same afternoon.

In full credit to Watford, they somehow managed to get him registered before 12pm even though the full transfer had not been announced at that point.

In other news: Report lifts lid on Tottenham player’s summer exit U-turn, find out more here.

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge is shocked that Mikel Arteta and Edu allowed William Saliba to move on loan to Ligue 1 from Arsenal during the transfer window.

Saliba was allowed to join Marseille on a short-term deal in the summer, having spent last season on loan at OGC Nice.

Indeed, since his signing from Saint-Etienne, Saliba has not actually played a single minute of competitive football for Arsenal.

In his three appearances for Marseille thus far this season, Saliba has yet to be on the losing side, with his club beating both Montpellier and Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 and drawing with Bordeaux.

By comparison, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are in disarray, and sit rock-bottom of the Premier League table.

They lost their opening game of the season against Brentford 2-0, were then outclassed by Chelsea in a 2-0 defeat, and then lost 5-0 to Manchester City at the weekend.

And Bridge cannot understand why Saliba was allowed to go to Marseille.

He said: “You’ve got William Saliba playing brilliantly in France. People knock France, but I think maybe people are a little bit disrespectful to France. You’ve got Saliba playing excellent stuff over there and you see Arsenal’s defence at the moment, and you just wonder, ‘is Saliba really worse than what we’re seeing right now?’

“Everything going on with Arsenal, you have to question from the top down to the coaching staff.”