Exclusive: West Brom tipped to offload £7.5k-a-week star - "he's got to be gutted" | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Don Goodman has been discussing Devante Cole's West Brom future.

Don Goodman believes West Bromwich Albion should consider a permanent or temporary exit for striker Devante Cole, who has continuously struggled for regular gametime at The Hawthorns.

Cole was signed as a free agent by the West Midlands outfit last summer in what was Carlos Corberan's final transfer window in B71, with the experienced frontman providing extra depth to the Spaniard's attacking department during a time when Shilen Patel had to remain cautious over the club's financial resources.

Since then, the son of former Manchester United and Newcastle United cult hero, Andrew, has barely been able to show Albion supporters what he can bring to the table under a plethora of permanent and temporary head coaches and managers - a theme which has continued into the early weeks of Ryan Mason's tenure.

Therefore, with there seemingly no long-term future for the striker, Goodman has urged his former club to weigh up their options ahead of Monday night's 7pm transfer deadline for the current summer window.

Don Goodman issues "gutted" Devante Cole verdict and urges swift West Bromwich Albion action

Cole initially put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with West Brom last July following his exit from League One club Barnsley following the Tykes' second successive season of play-off disappointment, in which he still managed to find the back of the net 18 times and register a further three assists across 49 appearances in all competitions.

However, since making his competitive debut for the Baggies with a 14-minute cameo in a 3-1 away victory over Queens Park Rangers on the opening day of last season, the £7.5k-a-week star has only made a further 15 appearances for the club - only one of which has come from the starting lineup - and has failed to score.

Earlier in the summer, the striker was also linked with a potential move to Reading and Port Vale, although deals with the Berkshire or North Staffordshire sides failed to materialise.

With Albion welcoming Josh Maja back into the fold in Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth after an injury absence alongside Tammer Bany and summer recruit, Aune Heggebo, Cole has been pushed back down the pecking order.

He would be expected to do so even further once Daryl Dike returns from yet another long-term lay-off, and Goodman has urged the club to consider moving Cole on, as he needs to source regular minutes at present.

"I just think that it's clear for all to see that Devante Cole isn't in the long-term plans for West Bromwich Albion," the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Football League World.

"He didn't make a single start for them in the Championship last season, and hasn't really been given an opportunity by previous regimes or Ryan Mason.

"Evidently, he hasn't been brought onto the pitch this season," he added.

"If West Bromwich Albion can get some kind of fee for him, or if they think it would be fair for him to go out on loan. He had two amazing seasons at League One level with Barnsley, scoring loads of goals. Maybe he'll get the opportunity at that level.

"But, for the player, he's got to be gutted really. He's 30 years old and he needs to be playing regular football now," Goodman ended.

West Bromwich Albion could make a profit out of expected Devante Cole exit

As Goodman alluded to, this transfer hasn't worked out for anyone involved, with Cole still remaining unproven at Championship level as a result, with his divisional record now reading one goal in 38 appearances.

A move back into League One for a promotion-chasing side could still be attractive, especially with several clubs expected to be in said mix still looking to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes.

A loan move would still be viable, although this window could represent Albion with the opportunity to still make a profit on the former England youth international's services, given the fact he was signed on a free transfer and only has 12 months left on his deal at The Hawthorns.

However, the most important thing for the striker is to be featuring week-in, week-out, or else his career risks heading towards stagnation despite his previously impressive exploits at Oakwell.