This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

West Bromwich Albion's season could well depend on the January transfer window for multiple reasons.

They'll be hoping that Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini sticks to his word over Grady Diangana as earlier this month, he claimed that the starlet's development was best served at the Hawthorns.

While, Slaven Bilic will be looking for additions to bolster their promotion push in the latter stages of the campaign, and it is no secret that a striker may be high on his wishlist considering how the season has gone so far.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The Baggies may be firing on all cylinders at the top of the Championship table with a two-point cushion over the chasing pack, but the same can't be said for those that should be sticking the ball in the net.

Charlie Austin, a £4m summer arrival, Kenneth Zohore, an £8m summer signing, and the long-serving Hal Robson-Kanu have netted just six goals between them.

To put that in perspective, winger Matty Phillips has already hit that number alone despite scoring fewer last term, per WhoScored.

This week the club have been linked, via the Telegraph, with a move for former loan star Dwight Gayle, which would appease plenty in the west Midlands, but for around £10m, this move has the potential to be a financial disaster for the club.

It is something that needs to be carefully weighed up between Bilic, Luke Dowling, and anyone else involved in such decision-making.

In addition to splashing out such a colossal fee for a second-tier player, his wage demands of £55k-per-week were too much for Albion to complete a deal in the summer.

You only have to look at the nightmare surrounding £15m Oliver Burke to know the potential this could bring.

That isn't to say he wouldn't be a fantastic signing, having netted 24 goals in 41 appearances in the blue and white stripes last season, because he would be ideal in their quest for a return to the top-flight.

But financially, it just doesn't add up.

Ultimately, West Brom do not want to risk spending such a hefty amount when promotion isn't guaranteed, but the catch 22 is that they may need him to achieve that very goal.