West Brom head coach Slaven Bilic would like two new signings before the transfer window closes next week, but it is unlikely that either Jarrod Bowen or Dwight Gayle make the switch to the Hawthorns, according to The Athletic's Steve Madeley.

What's he said?

The Baggies' title push has taken a dent in recent weeks after managing six straight league games without a victory, which was topped off by defeat to Stoke City at the Hawthorns on Monday evening.

Albion have been linked to several players since the turn of the year, including a return for last season's 24-goal loan star, Gayle, and one of the league's top goalscorers, Bowen.

But a move for either is bordering on "impossible" as Madeley claimed in a recent Q&A for The Athletic, he said:

"West Brom are one of many clubs to show an interest in Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen but he will come at a high cost. The club are committed to spending £8 million to make Pereira’s signing from Sporting Lisbon permanent, so huge money is unlikely to be spent on a single player elsewhere. If Hull maintain their valuation of Bowen — £15 million-plus — a deal in January seems unlikely if not impossible. So far, no club has taken the plunge on Bowen so, if he remains with the Yorkshiremen this month, it is an option Albion could revisit in the summer.

"Dwight Gayle is a long-standing target after last season’s successful loan spell but that seems an almost impossible deal to do this month. He is currently injured, Newcastle United don’t want to sell, and if they did their valuation would almost certainly be too high — and Gayle does not want another loan."

Steve Madeley, The Athletic

Gambling on promotion

West Brom have looked a shadow of the side that we saw earlier in the season, but despite their drop in form, they still remain top of the Championship.

If Bilic gets his wish of two new signings, then the Baggies could well receive a much-needed spark to reignite their title chances.

Although, the need for an attacking addition has increased severely since the start of the week as loan star Grady Diangana picked up another injury, which could rule him out for at least a month.

Their win percentage without him in the side is just 14%.

The Telegraph believe Croatian hotshot Mislav Orsic is the most likely addition as the club prepare an £8m bid for him ahead of next week's deadline.

But West Brom need to make sure they do not gamble with promotion by overspending as they'll be left with a financial nightmare should a repeat of last season follow.

Who the heck is that?! Can you name all of these obscure West Brom players...

Nearest challengers Leeds United are only one point behind in second place whilst Fulham, who are now just five points back, have been let back into the race as a result of the Baggies' dire form.

While in other news, Albion have entered the race for this Leeds-linked target that would solve one of Bilic's biggest issues...