It’s been four seasons since Romelu Lukaku graced The Hawthorns with his presence and netted 17 Premier League goals during his loan spell.
Even though the Baggies almost retained him for a second loan spell, he proceeded to join Everton on loan and eventually signed them permanently for £28m and went on to net an impressive 65 league goals for the Toffees.
This week, Jose Mourinho, the man who sold him to Everton, changed his mind about the Belgian as he joined Manchester United for £75m, making him the fifth most expensive football player in the world.
Lukaku’s time at West Brom seems long ago but sadly, none of the four managers since have been able to truly replace his goals and his quality.
Here’s a look at all the strikers who have tried to fill the ever-present void of Romelu Lukaku:
Shane Long
Had two good seasons at The Hawthorns, one of them shared with Lukaku but Long became unsettled when a transfer to Hull fell through on deadline day in Summer 2013. Three goals later (including an incredible brace against Aston Villa) the Irishman was sold as Jeremy Peace took charge of the sale and ran away with £7m.
Long wasn’t the main man to replace Lukaku’s goals but in no way should he have been sold.
Markus Rosenberg
Fans wanted Swedish striker Rosenberg to succeed but failure to score any goals in a season and a half said enough and he was released in January 2014.
Nicolas Anelka
Seen as the ultimate solution by Steve Clarke to replace Lukaku’s goals that secured Albion’s 8th place finish in 2012/2013.
All the Frenchman gave the Baggies was hassle, controversy and a brace against West Ham.
His spell was ended by termination in March 2014.
Matej Vydra
Signed due to his success in the Championship with Watford, Vydra was overall out of his depth during his loan spell with the Baggies.
Three goals all coming in draws was enough to tell Vydra probably just wasn’t able to cut it in the Premier League.
Thievy Bifouma
The only player that Pepe Mel was given a chance to bring in.
This loan signing was never going to set the world alight but he will be remembered for coming on against Crystal Palace and scoring within 36 seconds on his Albion debut.
Left with two goals in six appearances.
Victor Anichebe
Frustratingly, when Albion had nearly retained Lukaku’s services for a second loan, everything went downhill when instead Victor Anichebe ended up signing that deadline day.
It was a risk to sign with his injury record and in no way did it pay off. He earned crucial points at home to Liverpool and Chelsea in his first season but will mostly be remembered for constant niggles and injuries and the wasteful £6m fee spent on him. Can now be seen playing for Beijing Enterprises after being relegated with Sunderland.
Saido Berahino
May have ended poorly but Berahino on top form was the closest thing to a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, having reached the twenty goal mark in the 14/15 season.
After openly admitting on Twitter he’d rather leave the club amid interest from Spurs, it all went downhill from there in so many ways.
Brown Ideye
Nobody had barely heard of Brown Ideye when he all of a sudden became West Brom’s record signing for £10m.
Had a below average first season and failed to meet expectations. However, albeit a disaster under Alan Irvine, Ideye showed glimpses under Tony Pulis that could easily have warranted a second season.
Georgios Samaras
The less said the better. Poor recruitment even for a fourth choice striker.
Rickie Lambert
I think many of us expected Lambert to be a decent signing but other than scoring a penalty against Leicester, having a decent game away to West Ham and growing a spectacular beard, he did nothing of note.
Salomon Rondon
When it comes to firepower, Albion rely heavily on Salomon Rondon and despite dividing opinion among fans, he carries that weight on his shoulders very well. Probably not consistent enough in front of goal and his first season was better than his second statistically but he works his socks off up front on his own and is determined to succeed at The Hawthorns.
Barring any ridiculous decisions, Rondon should get a third season to prove himself.
Hal Robson-Kanu
Quite remarkable that West Brom spent an entire season with winger-turned-striker Robson-Kanu as their second choice up front.
The Euro 2016 hero does try hard and did come up with the odd great moment last season.
Realistically though, he is not good enough and that new contract was in no way deserved but at least the Welsh international should sit down the pecking order this coming season behind new striker Jay Rodriguez and Salomón Rondon.