West Brom are closing on a deal for Mainz striker Jhon Cordoba.

The Baggies are battling FC Koln for the Colombia international.

However, BILD says Albion's greater spending power makes them favourites to sign the striker, having made enquiries in January.

The Premier League club had scouts posted in the closing weeks of the Bundesliga season to check on Cordoba.

Mainz's €10 million asking price won't be a problem for West Brom. And with Cordoba carrying an EU passport, work permit issues will also be avoided.