Tony Mowbray should make controversial West Brom call with £12m man.

As Grady Diangana’s contract expires, Tony Mowbray will soon have to decide if the 26-year-old has done enough to warrant an extension at the Black Country club, or if it is time for both sides to part ways.

The 2019/20 season was one of the most entertaining for West Brom in recent history.

The Black Country side had a similar promotion prayer to today, hoping to battle their way out of the second tier, which would not have been nearly as easy or attainable without one temporary addition.

Albion signed Grady Diangana for £12 million on deadline day. Diangana had signed his first professional contract while Baggies’ manager Slaven Bilic was at the helm of the Hammers. The winger quickly drew the attention of Albion fans upon his debut in the Championship.

with the second match of the season, the Baggies trailed 1-0 at Kenilworth Road at halftime, but Bilic quickly adjusted the Albion lineup and brought in the West Ham player with the goal of turning the tide. It only took six minutes for him to do so, as Diangana punished the Hatters’ defensive blunders with two excellent strikes to help the Albion win 2-1 away from home.

Diangana was a valuable addition to the Albion attack, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 30 appearances despite missing 13 due to injury. His participation was crucial in West Brom’s return to the top-flight.

Following such a successful temporary term, the permanent signing of the West Ham winger was high on the Baggies’ summer want list as they returned to the Premier League, with many anticipating the forward’s flair and inventiveness would be crucial in guaranteeing Baggies’ survival.

The Baggies were excited about the arrival, but Diangana struggled to transition from the second tier to the top, scoring only once throughout the season. After a seven-game absence, he only appeared in four of West Brom’s last 14 games, starting one.

Diangana has failed to be the jewel that Baggies prayed he would be.

Following West Brom’s return to the second tier, Albion’s fast forward has had a mix of intermittent success and extended periods on the sidelines. Given his six-season contract, many would have been willing to let him leave.

Grady Diangana West Brom stats (Fotmob)
Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
2024/25	23	4	2
2023/24	38	7	8
2022/23	35	4	3
2021/22	42	2	1
2020/21	21	1	0
2019/20	31	8	6

Diangana has struggled to reach double digits in goal or assist totals in any season he has worn the blue and white stripes. Despite his £12 million price tag, he has only scored 26 goals in 190 appearances, making it difficult to justify a deal on better terms.

Dianagana has been out for 260 days as a Baggie due to four injuries since his summer arrival in 2019. The most recent injury prevented him from participating in nine of West Brom’s 31 Championship games this season.

Diangana’s success in a blue and white shirt, including 15 goals last season, has not been consistent enough to secure a long-term contract for the 26-year-old.

Albion cannot afford to follow in the footsteps of Daryl Dike, who, despite only making 32 appearances in four seasons due to injuries, is still the club’s highest-paid permanent player. His name cannot be removed from the wage bill with over a year left on his contract.

Although Diangana has not had as many absences as Albion’s USMNT international, it is an important factor to consider when Mowbray makes his contract decision.

As Mowbray expects for fresh “marriage” he must evaluate critical points before Diangana contract

However, since Tony Mowbray returned to The Hawthorns’ hot seat, Diangana’s stellar performance against Portsmouth, which included two goals and two assists, has seen him gain favour in the Baggies manager’s plans. Mowbray has expressed his desire to renew terms with the winger, but has also stated his lack of understanding of any obstacles to a deal being reached.

He told Express and Star:

“I’d want to keep Grady on our team, but I’m not sure how much he makes. It is not appropriate for me to pound my feet and shout, “I want him.”

Diangana’s estimated weekly salary of £20,385 ranks him as the fifth highest-paid permanent player at the club. With interest in the Congolese international, the club may face inflated demands from potential summer signings.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s X account, Celta Vigo and Parma have expressed interest in signing the winger. If he stays with the Baggies, he could become the best-paid player, which Shilen Patel and Bilkul may be hesitant to allow due to their decision to reduce higher wages since their takeover.

With Mowbray likely to make the final decision on allowing Diangana’s contract to expire, the forward’s poor form during his last spell in the top flight is a major source of concern, as that is where Mowbray hopes to manage his troops next season, making a possible departure the best option for both parties.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk