Exclusive: West Brom forward set to leave the Hawthorns - Port Vale set to win the race | OneFootball

Devante Cole is poised to leave West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer to join Darren Moore's Port Vale, Football League World understands

West Bromwich Albion are set to offload Devante Cole on a free transfer in order for the striker to link up with ex-Baggies boss Darren Moore at League One outfit Port Vale, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

Albion have shifted a clutch of fringe players throughout this summer's window, with the likes of Semi Ajayi, Gianluca Frabotta and John Swift all departing the West Midlands in recent times.

High-profile sales have been made, too, most notably those for star winger Tom Fellows and Torbjorn Heggem to Southampton and Bologna respectively, though the Baggies have ultimately strengthened in the summer months by signing Krystian Bielik, George Campbell, Aune Heggebo, Chris Mepham, Nat Phillips and, most recently, exciting wide-man Samuel Iling-Junior on loan from Aston Villa.

West Brom are set to sanction another exit ahead of this evening's looming 7pm transfer deadline, with Cole closing in on a departure from the Hawthorns.

Devante Cole set for West Brom exit and Port Vale move with Darren Moore

Sources close to Football League World have disclosed that Cole is set to see his contract paid up at West Brom before sealing a move to Port Vale, which will bring his disappointing stay with the Baggies to an end.

The striker's current deal expires next summer, although his contract will be cancelled prematurely in order to get him off the books and he's on the verge of dropping down to English football's third-tier with the Valiants.

30-year-old Cole joined the Baggies just last summer after leaving Barnsley, where he had been a prolific goalscorer at League One level in two of his three seasons at Oakwell.

The 2024/25 campaign, however, was a disaster for Cole, who failed to start a single league game under Carlos Corberan, Tony Mowbray or interim boss James Morrison and is now poised to leave West Brom without a goal to his name.

The fortunes of the ex-Bradford City and Motherwell frontman have not improved following Ryan Mason's appointment earlier this summer, and he is yet to make an appearance under the 34-year-old.