West Brom, Tony Mowbray eye Ipswich Town move following Josh Maja blow | OneFootball

West Brom are eyeing the addition of a forward before the 3 February deadline

West Bromwich Albion are exploring a January move for Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi with top scorer Josh Maja sidelined due to injury.

According to Express & Star, the Baggies are eyeing a deal to bring the 22-year-old to the Hawthorns on loan for the rest of the season.

Al-Hamadi made the switch to Portman Road last January but has struggled for consistent game time in Kieran McKenna’s side, particularly in the Premier League.

The Iraq international has made 11 appearances in the top flight, all of which have come as a substitute.

West Brom consider Ipswich transfer

West Brom are reportedly looking to sign Al-Hamadi from Ipswich on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

New manager Tony Mowbray is looking to bolster the team’s attacking options before the market shuts on 3 February.

An injury to Maja has only reinforced the desire to bring in a new forward, with West Brom targeting the Ipswich striker.

Al-Hamadi is far down the pecking order of McKenna’s first team plans, with the likes of Liam Delap and Sammie Szmodics ahead of him.

The forward did play a role in helping the Tractor Boys gain promotion to the Premier League last season, scoring four times from 14 appearances after his move from AFC Wimbledon.

Al-Hamadi’s last appearance for the club came in a 2-2 draw against Fulham at the start of this month, coming off the bench in the closing stages.

West Brom promotion challenge

West Brom will be aiming to compete for a top-six finish in the second half of the campaign under Mowbray, with the team currently sixth in the table.

The 61-year-old is back at the Hawthorns, having previously managed Albion from October 2006 to June 2009.

Mowbray oversaw the club’s promotion to the Premier League during this time, with the team coming second in the Championship.

Next up for the Baggies is a big clash with seventh-place Middlesbrough this evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Al-Hamadi signing would be a smart move

Al-Hamadi performed well for Ipswich last season, even if he never cemented himself as a regular starter in McKenna’s side.

He scored four times from just 14 appearances, despite making the jump up from League Two midway through the campaign.

Given Maja is now on the sidelines, a new forward is a must for West Brom in their top-six pursuit.

A loan move for Al-Hamadi could be the exact kind of short-term fix they need to give them an edge over the likes of Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers.