West Brom backed to sign 23-goal striker - He's an "upgrade" on Thomas-Asante and Wallace | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has issued his thoughts on Albion being linked with a move for QPR forward Charlie Kelman.

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 Brom will be eager to get a busy summer transfer window in motion.

Ryan Mason secured his first signing as Baggies boss with the addition of former Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, while the club is expected to sanction multiple other incomings and outgoings due to their lingering financial issues.

As the Black Country outfit look to strike the perfect balance in the squad, they’ve recently been linked with a summer move for QPR forward Charlie Kelman, who is coming off the back of a really impressive League One term with Leyton Orient – scoring 23 times in the third tier.

The Baggies are in need of a third striker to provide competition for Josh Maja and Daryl Dike given Devante Cole is likely to leave the club before the end of the window after a torrid opening season.

With this news in mind, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has weighed in with his thoughts on the latest speculation.

West Brom backed to secure summer move for talented Charlie Kelman

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess thinks Charlie Kelman will be an exciting addition to The Hawthorns, believing the 23-year-old can excel off creative service when looking at his time at Leyton Orient.

Burgess said: “I think Kelman fits the mould of a player that Albion should be targeting this summer. The 23-year-old is coming off the back of a really impressive loan spell at Leyton Orient, while he’s not been able to make much of an impact at his parent club QPR.

“I'd be quite looking forward to seeing him in an Albion shirt if we are to get it done, hopefully any potential fees are not too extraordinary. With Maja and Dike still at the club, you'd imagine Kelman would be competing alongside them.

“For a starting position, Maja, for me, is the starting striker by some distance, but obviously, at Leyton Orient, he (Kelman) showed that with some creative players surrounding him, the likes of Jamie Donley, Ethan Galbraith, that if he gets service, then he’s someone who can thrive off that.

“Despite Fellows being likely to leave this summer, you have Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston, just to name a couple of players who strikers in the Championship would like to play alongside, and I think he would definitely be a good option to have.

"I think it's definitely an upgrade from a few seasons ago where it was the likes of Thomas-Asante and Jed Wallace competing up front, and I would like to see us get a deal for Kelman arranged, if possible.”

Charlie Kelman will have his sights purely fixed on a club that can offer him regular game time in order to help him transition his League One goalscoring exploits into the second tier.

With West Brom, there are already quality figures in their forward ranks. Josh Maja proved over the first half of last season that he can be a talisman in the Championship, while Daryl Dike possesses the bullish nature needed to give opposition defenders nightmares.

What has been lacking for them is their fitness, but if the tide can change and they can both remain fit, then the Baggies should already have quite a few goals at the top end of the pitch.

If Kelman was to link up at The Hawthorns, he would most likely start the season on the bench. He could well take the place of Maja or Dike should they return to the treatment table, but it’s a gamble to take over going somewhere where he knows he will be the main man straight away.

The 23-year-old will be hopeful of hitting the ground running if he makes a fresh switch, but momentum may be hard to generate in the West Midlands to begin with, so he may be better off considering other options.