In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former West Brom and England midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed the Midlands outfit to secure the signing of Christian Benteke before Monday's transfer deadline.

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon, the Baggies are closing in on a move for the Crystal Palace frontman, despite the arrival of Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne last week.

It's claimed that the 30-year-old has been told his playing time at the Eagles will be limited so a temporary spell at the Hawthorns could be beneficial as it would put him in the shop window ahead of the summer window when he will be out-of-contract.

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Albion boss Sam Allardyce has managed Benteke before at Palace and revealed earlier this month that he would be keen should the Belgian be available, he said to Sky Sports:

"If he is available, I'd be interested because we all know I'm looking for a front-man if at all possible."

And when asked if a deal could happen before the 11 pm deadline on Monday, Palmer told FFC:

"Benteke's contract is up at the end of the season. If they take him now, they might have a deal with him.

"If they had a deal, and said 'We'll take him until the end of the season, and we can split the wages' then Benteke might do that. And then [West Brom] might promise Benteke 'if you keep us up, we'll give you a year's contract.'

"I think there's a deal to be done there [before deadline day]."

Benteke, who is valued at £8.1m by Transfermarkt, enjoyed a fruitful spell under Big Sam at Palace during the 2016/17 season where he scored nine goals in 22 appearances.

It led to the 66-year-old lauding the 6 foot 3 colossus a "big catalyst" towards their survival bid, and he'd surely be hoping that history can repeat itself should the former Villa man swap south London for the Midlands before tomorrow night.

Albion only have one domestic loan space left to fill, and given they are among the lowest scorers in the division, Benteke could be a welcome addition to their cause.

AND in other news, Baggies can seal "major coup" in £35k-p/w diamond dubbed a "Rolls-Royce of a player"...