West Brom may struggle to sign Adam Armstrong permanently - Here are 3 perfect replacements they could sign | OneFootball

FLW look at three potential Adam Armstrong replacements if West Brom can't pick him up this summer.

Adam Armstrong may not have hit the heights expected of him during his loan at West Bromwich Albion, but he would still prove a good permanent signing in the summer.

In his last three full Championship campaigns, the Baggies’ number 32 has netted 16, 28, and 21 goals respectively, for Blackburn Rovers and Southampton. This hasn't translated to his short-term loan spell at the Hawthorns, but given his previous record, one could still argue that a permanent move for him in the summer would be a wise investment.

However, any attempt West Brom may make could be complicated by the fact that his parent club, Southampton, have recently been relegated back to the Championship. Selling him would not only mean strengthening a direct rival, but also parting with a player who dragged them to promotion almost single-handedly in the 2023–24 season.

As such, it's unlikely the Baggies will be able to secure a deal without offering a hefty, perhaps excessive, fee.

With that in mind, Football League World have identified three potential alternatives to Adam Armstrong that West Brom could pursue this summer.

Richard Kone

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

A player who could be on a hefty number of transfer shortlists this summer is Wycombe Wanderers' Richard Kone. The 21-year-old has netted 18 League One goals this term and has thrived since his January 2024 move from Essex Senior League side, Athletic Newham.

A quick, powerful, and direct striker, he’s a defender’s worst nightmare – and at such a young age, he’s only going to improve.

Luton Town tried to sign him in the winter window, and they had multiple offers knocked back worth up to £7 million.

A repeat of that figure in the summer would surely see him move on, but it is of course dependent on what division the Chairboys lie in, with Mike Dodds' side chasing promotion from the third tier.

He would offer an ideal focal point for Tony Mowbray’s attack, and while he isn’t yet a guaranteed goalscorer at Championship level, he has the potential to become one before long.

Odsonne Édouard

Odsonne Édouard has had a torrid time at Crystal Palace since his £14 million move from Celtic in 2021. In total, he has managed just 21 goals in 103 appearances and hasn't made an appearance for them since the 24th of August 2024.

He has spent this season on loan at Leicester City, where he has made just six appearances and is currently out of the squad altogether.

The Frenchman is in need of a fresh start, and a move to the Championship - with West Brom - could be exactly what reignites his career.

His current contract at Selhurst Park runs until the summer of 2026, so both a loan or permanent transfer remain viable options, provided Crystal Palace don’t opt to terminate his deal beforehand.

It would be a gamble, no doubt, but if he can enjoy a strong pre-season and return to full fitness, there’s definitely a player there. During his time at Celtic, he scored 88 goals in 179 appearances, including three seasons where he netted 20 or more.

A risk? Undoubtedly – but with the right backing and guidance, it could be exactly what Édouard needs.

Emil Riis Jakobsen

The third and potentially most likely option is Preston North End's Emil Riis. The 26-year-old joined PNE in 2020 from Randers FC and has slowly developed into a reliable goalscorer for the Deepdale outfit.

Across his 182 appearances, he has scored 44 goals, with his most productive season coming in 2021–22, when he netted 20 in all competitions.

This season, he’s reached double figures once again - and while ten goals might not seem remarkable on the surface, it’s worth noting that Preston are a side who create very few clear-cut chances.

In a more creative team, the Dane could truly flourish, potentially forming a strong partnership up front with the ever-industrious Josh Maja.

His current contract is set to expire this summer, and the latest update from head coach Paul Heckingbottom confirms that no new deal has been offered.

West Brom would be wise to seize the opportunity and move for the 26-year-old, adding further depth and quality to an already impressive attacking line.