West Brom face fresh hurdle in race to seal Lawrence Shankland transfer deal | OneFootball

The Baggies are expected to be rivalled by two Saudi clubs for the signature of Lawrence Shankland.

West Brom’s pursuit of Lawrence Shankland could be hitting a roadblock as two clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in the free agent.

The Baggies were in pole position to sign the out-of-contract 29-year-old, which would become the first signing of the Ryan Mason era, but it appears fresh competition is emerging, with Saudi sides undoubtedly being able to offer more luring financial packages than what Albion can at the moment.

Shankland would be a welcomed addition at The Hawthorns, with the Baggies desperately needing a third striker option to support Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, as their fitness issues have been called into question throughout their stays.

Meanwhile, the likes of Adam Armstrong and Will Lankshear have departed the clubs from their loan spells, and Devante Cole is unlikely to stake a claim in the first-team picture after failing to secure one league start this term.

The Black Country outfit will be very keen to wrap up a deal but will be wary of the pull Saudi clubs can present, and Shankland could be interested in an overseas switch at this stage of his career.

El Ettifaq and Al-Wehda enter the race for West Brom target Lawrence Shankland

According to journalist Mark Hendry, Saudi Pro League outfits El Ettifaq and Al-Wehda are weighing up a move for Scotsman Lawrence Shankland, as they prepare to organise their budgets for the upcoming season.

Ettifaq, who were previously managed by Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, have former SPL players Jack Hendry and Moussa Dembélé in their squad, with the journalist’s piece claiming that Shankland could make a lucrative switch there.

Al-Wedha have also registered an interest but are expected to be down the pecking order after their relegation from the Saudi Pro League this term.

Southampton are also reportedly monitoring the situation, as previously reported, while West Brom will be hoping they can stave off the late interest to land the marksman.

While it all seemed plain sailing that Lawrence Shankland was going to link up at The Hawthorns, the latest interest from Saudi Arabia has cast slight doubt over the move happening.

At 29, Shankland has to think about the future of his career, and a move to Saudi is such an appealing move financially, with such lucrative money setting him and his family up for the rest of their lives.

The striker will also be weighing up whether the project at West Brom is appealing enough, and whether he could envisage himself achieving his Premier League ambitions in the West Midlands under Ryan Mason.