According to a recent report from Football Insider, West Brom look set to face competition for the signing of CJ Hamilton. The 23-year-old currently plays his football at League Two outfit Mansfield Town and has done so since leaving Sheffield United back in 2016, with his impressive goal-scoring efforts for the Stags seemingly attracting the interest of Baggies manager Darren Moore.

However, the second tier outfit aren’t the only team eyeing up a January move for the winger this month, as reports suggest that Dean Smith’s Aston Villa are lining up a swoop for Hamilton this month as well, while Alex Neil’s Preston North End have also be credited with an interest in the 23-year-old in the past.

As such, time is very much of the essence for West Brom and Moore to act and bring Hamilton to the Hawthorns, as the winger appears set for an extremely bright future in the game.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Baggies were dealt a huge blow earlier this month as Premier League side Leicester City recalled Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at the Hawthorns, in which time the Englishman shone with nine goals and seven assists for Moore’s side.

And with West Brom only mustering five shots on target in their first clash without Barnes in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City last weekend, further attacking reinforcements and creative flair may be needed if Moore’s side are to sustain their push for an immediate return to the Premier League.

And Mansfield’s Hamilton may well be the man to turn to this month given he has shone for the Stags in the fourth tier in the last few years.

The 23-year-old left Sheffield United for Field Mill back in 2016 after failing to make a senior appearance for the Blades, and what an inspired decision that has turned out to be given he has flourished for David Flitcroft’s Mansfield.

Last term, Hamilton netted twice and laid on an impressive seven assists in 33 League Two games to help the Nottinghamshire-based side finish eighth in the fourth tier, just three points outside the play-off places, yet he has taken it up another level this time round with five goals and four assists in just 26 games, thus aiding Flitcroft’s side in their ascent to third place in the division.

Thus, it’s clear just how big an asset the 23-year-old is to Mansfield this term but also how bright a future he appears to have in the game - and at the tender age of 23, he is surely only going to get better the more football he plays.

And a move to Championship side West Brom may well be of keen interest to Hamilton in a bid to continue progressing his career - the Baggies are very much in contention for promotion, and as such he’d be joining a very talented squad and thus competing with several quality players.

Add in the fact that the Midlands club are the top scorers in the second tier with 55 goals from their 27 games, and the 23-year-old could get the chance to really make a name for himself in a team that love to get forward.

But with Villa seemingly ready to beat the Baggies to his signature, time is of the essence for manager Moore, who simply must act ASAP to bring the talented winger to the Hawthorns.

West Brom fans… what do you think? Let us know!