West Brom and Southampton considering swoops for out of contract striker - he scored 9 goals in 2024-25 | OneFootball

The Baggies are considering a move for Hearts frontman Lawrence Shankland, while the Saints are monitoring the situation.

West Brom and Southampton are reportedly interested in a summer move for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, who is set to become a free agent.

The Baggies will be beginning preparations for the transfer window now they’ve appointed Ryan Mason as their head coach, as the former Tottenham and Hull City midfielder gets his first full-time managerial role under way.

One of Albion’s first signings in the Mason era could be the prolific Scottish goalscorer, with it appearing the 29-year-old is ready for a new challenge in England.

There seems to be plenty of suitors in the Championship, with West Brom and Southampton the latest clubs to record an interest in the former Dundee United frontman.

As per a report in the Scottish Sun, West Brom hold a strong interest in Lawrence Shankland, as the striker weighs up his options ahead of the summer transfer window.

Shankland is set to become a free agent despite Hearts working hard to tie him down to a new deal, as new boss Derek McInnes attempts to convince him to remain in his setup.

The Jambos are reportedly working on a contingency plan should Shankland decide to move to the Championship, with the Baggies making their interest known to Shankland’s camp about the prospect of linking him up with Ryan Mason ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Southampton are believed to be monitoring the situation in the early stages of the transfer window too, as they prepare to build a squad good enough to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

West Brom will need a third striker option to support fellow forwards

So often a goalscoring machine at Hearts, Lawrence Shankland suffered a surprising dip in output, recording just four strikes this term compared to the two 21-goal tallies he registered since joining the club, although he did score nine times in all competitions.

It could well have been an off-season for the number nine, who seems keen on challenging himself elsewhere and getting back on the scoring trail.

While Josh Maja and Daryl Dike have proven themselves to be dangerous forces in the second tier, their fitness levels are nowhere near reliable enough to be called upon for an entire season, so the Baggies will need a third striker option to provide competition and even take on the baton in the event of further injuries.

The Black Country outfit have lost Will Lankshear and Adam Armstrong from their loan spells, while Devante Cole will be a priority sell this summer after failing to secure one league start this term.

Shankland has shown previously that he knows where the back of the net is on a regular basis, and he could well thrive in a Ryan Mason system that will look to be front-footed and entertaining at The Hawthorns.

An added source of goals at the top end of the pitch could help the Baggies make a push for promotion back to the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see whether the 29-year-old will be tempted by the ongoing project developing in the West Midlands.