West Bromwich Albion have enjoyed a strong summer transfer window so far but the Championship club are set to miss out on one of their remaining targets after a recent development. 

Albion are one of a host of EFL clubs that have been touted with an interest in Newcastle United teenager Elliot Anderson after his exploits on loan at Bristol Rovers last season but The Telegraph has reported that Eddie Howe wants to keep the attacking midfielder around the first team.

It is said another loan deal is unlikely to be sanctioned before the end of the summer transfer window, which means the Baggies need to intensify efforts elsewhere as they look to add a little bit more midfield spark.

Steve Bruce bemoaned his squad's lack of creativity in the centre of the park ahead of the summer and the signing of John Swift after his Reading exit should go a long way toward solving that issue.

Across the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons, Swift scored 17 times and provided 23 assists for the Royals but his injury-hit 2020/21 campaign highlights how important it is that West Brom have the proper cover for him.

It's not just about cover either, competition breeds strong performance, and at the moment the 27-year-old is the only out-and-out number 10 in the squad.

That's an issue given it looks as though Bruce may favour a 4-2-3-1 formation this season.

The likes of Alex Mowatt, Adam Reach, and Jed Wallace are all capable of filling in but signing Anderson would have given Albion another high-quality option to challenge Swift for his place and ensure that any injury issues don't sink their promotion hopes.

With the 19-year-old seemingly off limits given the latest Newcastle development, West Brom should look to intensify their pursuit of another Premier League target – Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri.

The Hawthorns outfit are one of a host of clubs said to be in pursuit of Mejbri (Sky Sports Transfer Centre (15:25)), who United are understood to be willing to loan out this summer.

It speaks to his qualities that the attacking midfielder was on the fringes of Ralf Rangnick's first team squad and has been part of Erik ten Hag's during pre-season while he'll be hungry to impress in what would be his first loan spell.

As such, he would make sense as cover and competition for Swift.

The race for Mejbri is likely to hot up soon and West Brom need to ensure they're ready to pounce.