West Bromwich Albion have agreed a deal to sign Salford City striker Brandon Thomas-Asante, according to Sky Sports editor Lyall Thomas.

The Lowdown: Three-horse race

The 23-year-old has now entered the final year of his contract with Neil Wood’s side, making this the real final opportunity for him to make his big move.

The forward has been attracting plenty of interest from the Championship in the form of Birmingham City and Barnsley, but it appears that it’s the Baggies who have won the race for his signature.

The Latest: West Brom agree Thomas-Asante deal

Taking to Twitter, Thomas confirmed that West Brom have reached an agreement for Thomas-Asante and have beaten their fellow competitors to his services. He wrote:

“West Brom have agreed a deal in the region of £500k to sign Salford City’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, beating Birmingham and Barnsley to the striker.”

Sky Sports transfer centre later added that the player is ‘set to sign’ at the Hawthorns ‘pending a medical’.

The Verdict: Hidden gem

Whilst West Brom are renowned for signing experienced strikers, Steve Bruce will have no issue in making moves for players in lower divisions, and Thomas-Asante looks set to be an absolute bargain at just £500k.

The Milton-Keynes-born hotshot has scored 32 goals and provided 18 assists throughout his senior career, and has already netted four and assisted two in just six League Two matches at the Peninsula Stadium this season (Transfermarkt).

Thomas-Asante will need time to adapt to life in the second tier after making the jump up, but with guidance and exposure, he could prove to be the hidden prolific gem that the Midlands outfit have been searching for.