Exclusive: West Brom make approach to sign £5m-valued MLS attacker
EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke
West Brom have made an approach to sign £5million-valued Major League Soccer sensation Alberth Elis as they look to beat Celtic to his signature, Football Insider understands.
Houston Dynamo winger Elis is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in MLS after catching the eye in the last two seasons where he has hit double figures in both campaigns.
The pacey attacker has scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists in 56 MLS games for Houston Dynamo and he was named in the MLS All-Star squad for the game with Juventus last summer.
Unsurprisingly, the 22-year-old's form has brought him to the attention of a host of clubs across Europe with the likes of Celtic and Fenerbahce keeping tabs on the skilful forward.
West Brom have expressed an interest in Elis as they look to boost their promotion bid back to the Premier League and they are in the market for attacking reinforcements after Harvey Barnes was recalled by Leicester from his loan spell at the Hawthorns.
Houston Dynamo are reluctant to lose Elis this month as they prepare for the new 2019 season with the MLS club valuing the Honduran international at £5million.
Elis would qualify for work permit to play in the UK through special talent dispensation and the value of the transfer fee it would take to land the Honduran.
He is regarded as a player capable of filling Barnes' boots as West Brom look to blow Celtic away in the race to sign him by 31 January.