Ameobi set to sign for the Baggies

Today’s Sunday Mercury reports that the Baggies will wrap up the signing of Shola Ameobi for £2.5m next week.

Other clubs are said to be interested, Stoke City where the player finished last season on loan and a clutch of Championship clubs including Ipswich Town where Albion’s former Technical and Sporting Director, Simon Hunt, is in charge of international scouting and recruitment.

A source close to the player insists that he is keen on a move to the Baggies ahead of the competition.

‘Shola’s 26 now so it’s a big move for him and he knows a manager like Tony Mowbray will help to develop him’.

‘He’s over his injury problems now and he just wants to get his head down and play’.

‘He’s keen to get his future sorted so ideally he’d like to get this move done and dusted in the next week or so’.

‘A few clubs have shown an interest in him but he wants to go to West Brom’.

Ameobi is certainly a player with plenty of heart and has never been found wanting for effort but his goal scoring record is hardly spectacular. He failed to score in 13 games for the Potters.

Where he will fit in a team with Ishmael Miller, Kevin Phillips, Roman Bednar, Luke Moore, Craig Beattie, Bartosz Slusarski and Sherjill MacDonald already in the striking department is unsure.

I would expect there to be departures if Ameobi’s move is to go ahead with the likes of MacDonald being granted a season long loan and perhaps Beattie and Slusarski sold on.