West Brom rival Watford to sign 18-goal star

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison needs to use the upcoming summer transfer window to improve the attacking quality within his squad.

The Baggies have only scored 48 goals in 46 appearances in the Championship this season, finishing 21st in the division and need to score more goals if they want to move up the table.

They have already been linked with moves to strengthen their new winger options, including Southampton’s Ben Brereton-Diaz and Hawthorns youth Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary.

West Brom will be competing with a number of Championship clubs, including division rivals Watford, to sign players in their bid for promotion next term.

Both the Hornets and Baggies could be in the market for similar players as they aim for a fresh start after disappointing 2025/26 seasons that saw them finish below the top six.

Why both West Brom and Watford need to sign new centre-forwards

West Brom and Watford should both be in the market for a new centre-forward when the summer transfer window officially opens later this month.

None of the Hornets’ star players have reached double figures in the Championship this season, with Luca Kjelmgaard, on loan from Udinese, leading the team with nine league goals.

Therefore, they should be looking to sign a new centre-forward who can find the back of the net on a regular basis as they look to make the playoffs next season.

Meanwhile, West Brom may need a new striker, having already let go of Daryl Dike and continuing negotiations with Josh Maja and Karlan Grant, whose contracts expire at the end of June.

There is still a chance that Grant and Maja will leave the Hawthorns, meaning Morrison will have three fewer strikers in goal.

Currently, both clubs have already been linked with a striker swoop who could emulate one of the EFL’s great strikers, Jordan Rose.

West Brom and Watford could sign Championship new addition Jordan Rose

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers star is one of the best and most consistent goalscorers to grace the second tier of English football.

Rose scored an incredible 123 league goals and won promotion to the Premier League with two different clubs, finishing second with Middlesbrough and winning the title with Norwich.

West Brom and Watford are both rumored to be interested in Falkirk centre-forward Bernie Stewart, who could follow in the Scotland international’s footsteps.

The Premiership marksman is very similar to Rose in that he was born in England, but has decided to represent Scotland at international level with the Under-20s.

He also resembles a former Championship goal machine, as he has shown great promise as a goalscorer this season, while also showing he can adapt to a new level of football.

Stewart spent the first half of the season on loan at Dunfermline, scoring eight goals in 12 games (including six in 11 Championship games) before being recalled to Falkirk.

The 22-year-old marksman went on to make 21 appearances for Falkirk, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists, including eight goals in 17 Premiership games, taking his season tally to an impressive 18 goals. Rose scored 18 or more goals in six seasons in his career.

Stewart made the step up from the Championship to the Premiership and scored regularly, scoring a top-flight eight goals with an xG of 7.82 and attracting the attention of Watford and West Brom.

He is an up-and-coming young striker who looks poised to become a consistent goalscorer given his form at both Dunfermline and Falkirk, which is why both clubs should try hard to sign him.

Stewart has the potential to become the championship’s new Rose. Because despite being born in London, he has the potential to be a deadly goalscorer who could shine for Scotland at international level, and both West Brom and Watford will be hoping he does.