"A very good option" - West Brom transfer claim made involving Ipswich Town's Ali Al-Hamadi | OneFootball

Ali Al-Hamadi proved himself as a dependable impact sub for Ipswich in their run to promotion

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

West Bromwich Albion made a number of shrewd acquisitions in the summer transfer window.

However, once the 11pm Deadline slammed shut on August 30th, as is the case with any club, Albion fans have cast an eye on their current squad and analysed where the potential shortcomings have fallen in terms of players moving to The Hawthorns.

Carlos Corberan's side have started the season in fine form, winning three of their opening four Championship encounters, continuing to assert themselves as a force in the division under the Spaniard despite a summer which saw a number of key players from last season's fifth-place finish move on to pastures new.

And, despite sitting in second place going into the first international break of the campaign, attacking areas could still provide a small conundrum for Corberan after the aforementioned summer activity.

West Brom fan pundit issues main transfer regret after window closure

Despite the fine form which Josh Maja has started the season with - four goals in as many games - there is an argument that in the short-term, Albion are lacking depth and quality when it comes to natural centre-forwards, with Devante Cole joining on a free after leaving League One side Barnsley whilst Daryl Dike remains sidelined, as well as seeing Brandon Thomas-Asante switch to Coventry City

We have seen Corberan utilise the likes of Jed Wallace as the main focal point of an attack to reasonably good effect when called upon, but it is the same potential conundrum which FLW's Baggies fan pundit, Callum Burgess, has referred to when citing his opinion surrounding a potential transfer regret for the club across the summer

"West Brom fans have been extremely happy with the transfer business conducted over the summer, with the likes of Torbjørn Heggem, as well as bringing Mikey Johnston back to the club," Burgess began. "But, if there's one area we feel that we could be lacking in, it's probably up front."

"After Josh Maja, it looks like it will be between Devante Cole and the likes of Lewis Dobbin, Jed Wallace and Mikey Johnston to fill in as makeshift centre-forwards."

"One player we could've looked into making a deal for would've been Ali Al-Hamadi from Ipswich," Burgess stated. "I think a deal would've relied on them signing another striker, such as Armando Broja."

"But, if he was available and a deal could've been done, I feel that he's someone who would've been a very good option off the bench, as he played that role for Ipswich last season."

"He would've been competing with Maja for the number nine spot for the first time over a full Championship season, and he would've given us great depth, which we currently don't have after Maja at the moment."

Ali Al-Hamadi would've been a strong addition to West Brom's attack

Whilst Maja has started to fill the void left by the aforementioned Thomas-Asante, who was the Baggies' top scorer last season with 12 goals in all competitions, depth does remain somewhat of an issue in this part of the West Midlands.

Given his record at Portman Road in such a short period, particularly as an impact substitute, it's no surprise that a plethora of Championship sides made enquiries over the possibility of a loan switch for the first Iraqi to feature in the Premier League, as it was stated earlier in the summer that Kieran McKenna didn't see the former AFC Wimbledon man as part of his plans for Town's top flight campaign.

However, despite landing former Hull City loanee Liam Delap from Manchester City, Town failed in their pursuit of signing the previously mentioned Broja, who eventually joined Everton on loan.

Al-Hamadi netted four goals in 14 appearances following his January move from Plough Lane - of which only one appearance was in the Starting XI - as well as being a hot commodity for an abundance of divisional rivals beforehand.

This proves how highly rated the 22-year-old, who was unsuccessfuly pursued by Derby County - is rated at this level. However, Albion must hope that nothing untoward occurs with Maja between now and the January window, which would raise the concerns Burgess highlighted in his verdict.