This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlie Austin could be available for a January move, according to The Athletic.

The West Brom striker has fallen out of favour at the Hawthorns leading to speculation that he could be allowed to move on when the transfer window reopens.

Derby County were one of the sides interested in a move over the summer, meaning that they could be tempted to revisit their interest in the New Year.

But would Austin improve the Rams?

The team at FLW have had their say...

Jacob Potter

I think he's exactly the type of player they should be targeting.

Austin has shown that he can perform to a high standard in the Championship in the past, and impressed me in the role he played for West Brom in their promotion-winning season last term.

He's out of favour with the Baggies now though, and I'm not surprised to hear that he's set to leave the club in the near future.

Derby certainly need to sign a striker in the January transfer window if they're to force themselves up the second-tier standings.

Austin would be a safe option given his experience at this level, and I think he'd be more than capable of leading the line for the Rams.

He'd have the service he needs as well, with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Louie Sibley playing behind him.

It's a move that would make sense for all parties involved.

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Alfie Burns

I don’t really think he would, if I’m honest.

Austin scored a steady amount of goals in the Championship last season for West Brom, but he hardly took the division by storm in a very progressive side.

Derby need somebody guaranteeing them a sort of one-in-two record, which Austin simply isn’t going to give you.

He isn’t the player that he was five or six years ago and, if Derby do get him, I think they would need somebody else as well.

There’s simply not enough there from the last couple of years that suggest he solves Derby’s problems.

 

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George Dagless

I certainly think so.

I'm still quite surprised at the stance that West Brom have taken with Austin and it appears as though Slaven Bilic is remaining stubborn in refusing to get him involved, even though they need goals.

Fair enough, that is his call, and so I think Austin will be itching to get a move in January to get playing once more.

A host of Championship clubs would surely be interested in getting him given his expertise at this level and Derby, with their lack of goals, have to be among them, in my view.