West Bromwich Albion have reignited their interest in Scottish striker Lawrence Shankland as they prepare for a pivotal summer under new head coach Ryan Mason.
The Hearts forward is out of contract this summer, and the Baggies are reportedly back in the race to secure his signature.
Shankland on Albion Radar Again Ahead of Rebuild
Shankland has long been on West Brom’s watchlist. The club came close to moving for him during his prolific spell at Dundee United in 2020, when he netted 28 goals in 33 matches. Now 28, the striker is a free agent once more, and Albion could be poised to pounce.
Reports in the Scottish media suggest that West Brom have contacted Shankland’s representatives, with the player currently weighing up his next move. Southampton are also said to be monitoring the situation, while Hearts remain keen to keep their talisman under new boss Derek McInnes—a former Baggies midfielder.
Shankland has notched 67 goals since joining Hearts, establishing himself as one of the Scottish Premiership’s most reliable forwards. His contract situation has put several English clubs on alert, but West Brom may be in pole position, particularly given their long-standing interest and their urgent need for firepower.
New head coach Mason is expected to oversee a busy transfer window as he looks to mould the squad in his image. The Baggies fell short of promotion last season, and with key players potentially moving on, free agents such as Shankland offer financial value and proven output.
The player himself is thought to be open to a move south of the border to test himself in the Championship, and Albion would offer an ambitious platform after finishing just outside the top six.
Writer’s View
This potential move makes a lot of sense for both parties. Lawrence Shankland is a proven goalscorer entering his peak years, and West Brom need to hit the ground running under Ryan Mason with smart, low-cost recruitment.
With Hearts struggling to tie the forward down and interest from rivals growing, the Baggies would do well to act quickly. Their prior pursuit of Shankland shows this isn’t a panic move—it’s a case of unfinished business. If Albion can get this over the line, it could be a statement signing for a club looking to reignite their promotion push.
