According to Sportske Novosti, West Bromwich Albion are keen on signing Croatian forward Mislav Orsic with a deal expected to go through before the end of the transfer window.

What's the word?

It is claimed that Baggies boss Slaven Bilic is a huge admirer of the 27-year-old and would like to add him to the squad to bolster their chances of gaining promotion this campaign.

There is a belief that his current club, Dinamo Zagreb, would be open to offers of approximately €10m (£8.55m).

The Croatian international has scored 32 goals in 70 appearances for the Prva HNL champions, 19 of which coming in all competitions this season.

He has managed to net a hat-trick on three occasions, including in the Champions League against Atalanta, who qualified for the knockout stages.

Massive upgrade

Despite a lack of experience outside of his homeland and Asia, there's no denying that Orsic would be an instant upgrade on pretty much any player in the Baggies side, barring Matheus Pereira.

His versatile nature to play anywhere across the front three or in attacking midfield should have everyone on standby, most notably Filip Krovinovic, who is somewhat the backup option for Bilic at the moment.

Orsic has scored and assisted goals in every position mentioned, although it is on the left he has played the majority of his career (143 matches) while his fellow countryman has struggled to make an impact whilst on loan at the Hawthorns, managing just one goal and two assists whilst playing on the left and through the middle, per Transfermarkt.

The prolific Croatian also offers speed like no other in the Albion squad after being clocked at 31 kmph in this season's Champions League, which for comparison is only one kmph less than Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and the exact same as Cristiano Ronaldo. Lightening pace.

While there are doubts over whether or not the Baggies should pursue a permanent deal for their Benfica loanee having put up such poor numbers to date, a move for Orsic would be exactly the sort of arrival that would prepare them for life in the top-flight.

He's done it on Europe's elite stage whereas his uncapped compatriot is struggling in the second tier of English football.

And in other news, the latest update on Nathan Ferguson makes for unpleasant reading...