Former West Brom forward Kevin Phillips has insisted that Famara Diedhiou would be a strong signing for the Baggies this summer as two more clubs enter the race for his signature.

It has been reported by Bristol Live that West Brom are one of the sides that are potentially interested in making a move for Diedhiou this summer after he left Bristol City at the end of his contract earlier this summer.

The Baggies are facing competition from two fellow Championship clubs according to the latest report from Football Insider, with both Middlesbrough and Swansea City in the race to sign the forward on a free transfer before the start of the campaign.

Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips was keen to stress that Diedhiou has all of the qualities that the Baggies would be needing in a new forward signing this summer. He also added that he would be confident that he would get the goals needed and also be a real handful upfront for Valerien Ismael’s side.

He said: “On his day, he’s a handful. He got a few goals last year.

“At that level, he’s shown he can cope. He’s a big, powerful player who can play to his strengths and hurt you.

“If he was to come on board, he’s certainly a player that will give defences a rough time.

“He’s got qualities. He can score goals but can also frustrate you as well.”

The verdict

Phillips knows all about what it takes to be a real attacking force in the Championship with him having been one of the best around at that level in his career.

Diedhiou was never prolific for Bristol City but he was able to reach double figures for goals in three of his four seasons for the Robins in the Championship and that shows he can add vital extra goals.

Ismael deployed Daryl Dike as a real physical presence upfront for his Barnsley side last term and you could see Diedhiou being able to provide a similar sort of role for West Brom next term.

The 28-year-old also knows all about the league and what it takes to score goals at this level and therefore he might well fit the bill as Phillips suggests.

Diedhiou would not be the most exciting of signings on paper, but he might well prove to be a smart acquisition to the squad for West Brom if they do sign him. However, there is interest from elsewhere so it is not going to be an easy transfer for the Baggies to pull off.