West Bromwich Albion are reportedly maintaining their interest in Leicester City striker Tom Cannon, who is currently on loan at Stoke City.
According to reports by journalist Alan Nixon, shared on his Patreon, the Baggies are eyeing a potential swoop for Cannon in January, despite the young forward’s current spell with their Championship rivals. Sheffield United are also said to be monitoring the situation closely.
Cannon, who made the move to Stoke in the summer, could be recalled by his parent club, Leicester, in the upcoming transfer window. The Foxes loaned him out to Stoke to ensure he gained valuable first-team experience, and the Republic of Ireland international has since netted four goals in just six appearances. Remarkably, all of those goals came in a single match against Portsmouth.
Having joined Stoke on a season-long loan, Cannon is expected to remain at the Bet365 Stadium until the end of the campaign. However, if a substantial offer is made for the 21-year-old, Leicester City may reconsider his future in the January window.
Hello @stokecity let’s go! 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/TfzlxEFB92
— Tom Cannon (@tomcannon_) August 30, 2024
Cannon, who began his career at Everton, progressed through the club’s youth academy and made several senior appearances before being sent out on loan to Preston North End, where he netted eight goals in 21 appearances, leading to a permanent move to Leicester in 2023. Despite suffering a back injury early on, Cannon contributed to Leicester’s Championship title in 2024. Internationally, he represents the Republic of Ireland, having made his senior debut in 2024.
Leicester’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, utilised Cannon during their title-winning campaign last season, in which the striker scored three goals in 18 appearances. Now, both West Brom and Sheffield United could potentially trigger a bidding war for the talented forward when the transfer window reopens.
The Baggies are hunting their own place in the Premier League after narrowly missing out last season. With former Sunderland man Josh Maja leading the line, they’re currently fourth, three points behind the Black Cats, and two points behind their reported rivals in the hunt for Cannon, Sheffield United.
The question now is whether West Brom can tempt Leicester into recalling Cannon early and negotiating a deal, as Carlos Corberan’s side look to strengthen their squad for a push towards promotion. After the international break, West Brom will face Oxford United in their next fixture, where they will aim to continue their momentum in the Championship.
Writer’s View
The interest in Tom Cannon from multiple Championship clubs highlights just how quickly his stock has risen in recent months. With Stoke City benefitting from his sharp form, it’s no surprise that West Brom and Sheffield United are keeping a close eye on his availability. His ability to score in bursts, as seen with his remarkable four-goal display, will have made an impression on scouts and managers alike. Cannon’s energy and work rate are assets that any promotion-chasing side would want to add to their squad.
That said, Leicester City will make the decision. They will have to consider whether recalling Cannon could benefit their plans, either by giving him another chance at the King Power Stadium or cashing in on his growing value. If West Brom, Sheffield United, or another club make a strong financial offer, the temptation to sell could be hard to resist, especially if Leicester is well-stocked in attacking options.
However, they’ll also consider the long-term future – if the Baggies or the Blades are promoted, Leicester could face Cannon next season, something that may not appeal to them long-term. With that in mind, leaving him at Stoke seems a viable opition before making firmer plans in the future.
For now, it’s a situation worth watching closely as January approaches.
Editor In Chief
