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West Brom should enquire about Shinji Okazaki if Leicester decide to recall Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at the Hawthorns this month, as the forward would offset the impact of the youngster's departure and help keep their promotion challenge on track.
What's the word, then?
As a result of Vicente Iborra's departure, the Foxes are considering recalling 21-year-old Barnes to ensure that their midfield department is not hampered by the Spaniard's exit, and also with the plan of playing the impressive attacker in the second half of the Premier League season.
Barnes has enjoyed an especially fruitful campaign with the side from the Midlands, scoring nine goals and recording six assists in 26 Championship starts under Darren Moore this season, which has alerted his parent club to the option of recalling him.
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However, if Leicester were to do that, the Baggies would undoubtedly be left in a spot of bother. They have been in excellent form so far this term, currently sitting in fourth place just five points off league leaders Leeds, so should look to replace Barnes in order to keep their season going.
Why would Okazaki be a good signing?
The Japanese international is yet to score this season, but in fairness, he has barely seen any game time under Claude Puel. He was left out of his nation's Asian Cup squad for the tournament this month, which means he would be available to link up with the Baggies immediately.
Okazaki is an enormously industrial forward who, whilst he may not find the net too often, works incredibly hard for his teammates and harries the opposition into mistakes with intense pressing. The 32-year-old is Japan's third all-time scorer with 50 goals, and would come with some pedigree, especially in the Championship where he may be more effective - he would also compliment the less industrial Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle.
He is clearly surplus to requirements at the King Power, so West Brom should test the waters if they happen to lose Barnes.