West Brom poised to sign 18-goal Hull, Huddersfield and Cardiff linked star on free transfer

West Brom are responding to the imminent departure of their top scorer with the signing of a free agent.

West Brom are poised to sign former Manchester City striker Devante Cole, according to a report.

As first reported by West Brom transfer insider @EyaWeGew, and later relaid by Express & Star journalist Lewis Cox, the forward looks set for a move to the Hawthorns. He is expected to complete a medical and finalise his move, joining the Baggies at a time where Brandon Thomas-Asante is being sold to Coventry City.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Barnsley expired this summer. He was the Tykes’ top scorer scorer in League One for the past two seasons, and registered 36 goals in 129 appearances.

Hull City, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City were all linked with a move for Cole in the January transfer window but he stayed put at Oakwell. Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Swansea City and Stoke City, had all been credited with interest in him last summer, and now he will get a chance to impress in the Championship.

Cole is the son of Manchester United and Newcastle United forward Andy Cole. He came through the academy system at Man City, and despite spending 11-years of his career there, he didn’t make an appearance for the senior team.

The two-time England under-19 international has had loans at Barnsley, MK Dons and Burton Albion in his career, and has also played for Bradford City, Wigan Athletic, Motherwell and Doncaster Rovers.

Cole has played in the Championship before and that was for Barnsley in the 2021/22 campaign, where he had a goal and an assist. He has been most prolific in League One, with a total of 65 goals and 17 assists in 249 games.