West Brom, Isaac Price transfer prediction made involving Shilen Patel trend - 'it's a case of when, not if' | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has discussed what the future looks like for Albion star Isaac Price.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Frustration is beginning to set in for West Brom supporters due to an inconsistent run of form under Ryan Mason.

After claiming an impressive three points in a front-footed display against Preston North End last weekend, the Baggies slumped to defeat away at struggling Watford in midweek, missing the chance to go third in a tepid second half performance.

Instead, consecutive away defeats have now left the club in and amongst the promotion-chasing pack in 10th place, sitting one point outside the top six but now six points away from the automatic promotion places.

A poor run of form has seen the Baggies collect just two wins from their last eight Championship appearances, with the ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach Mason finding it difficult to balance the rising number of injuries to his squad with consistently positive displays and results.

Despite the underwhelming backdrop, Albion’s standout player this season has been playmaker Isaac Price, who is beginning to show his worth in the blue and white stripes and finding the back of the net on a regular basis to help out his team.

The Northern Ireland international has five goals already this campaign, netting back-to-back stunners against Preston and Watford after failing to score in his previous seven outings.

There was some concern from some Albion supporters about Price’s form, but he’s responded to the critics in fine fashion and is definitely the Baggies’ biggest spark in the final third right now.

Given his excellent form in the second-tier, questions will be raised as to how long Price will remain in the Black Country for before being picked up by a top-flight outfit.

This is matched with the Baggies’ financial situation, with controlling shareholder Shilen Patel already forced to have parted ways with a number of first-team assets during his tenure, with this summer seeing both Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows depart for sizeable fees.

So will Price be the next star man to head for the exit door at The Hawthorns? Well, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has commented on how he sees Price’s future at Albion unfolding.

Isaac Price backed as a Premier League player in waiting

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess believes Isaac Price is a Premier League player in waiting, and the only way he stays at Albion beyond this season is if they can gain promotion back to the big time.

Callum said: “I think Isaac Price is definitely going to get to the Premier League with or without West Brom, but it’s going to be a case of when, not if.

“I think, personally, he’ll see out the season with us before he’s eventually sold on for a very decent fee to a Premier League side at the end of the season would be my prediction.

“After cashing in on Heggem and Fellows, I don’t think the intention will be to cash in on another star player in January and the aim will be to get to the end of the season with as strong a squad as possible.”

While Isaac Price hasn’t always been on it in recent times for West Brom, you can’t ignore his goalscoring tally, and that’s the area that matters most in the game.

In an attacking role as the number 10, Price has been able to dictate in the final third and unleash some wonderful strikes, and while curling in some beautiful efforts on his right foot, he’s also demonstrated that he can net all types of finishes when planting a headed effort in their away victory at Wrexham early on into the term.

His ability to drive at opposition defenders, his sharp movement, and a clinical eye for goal have made him such a valued asset in the Albion forward line, and it raises the question of where the team would be without his regular contributions.

At 22, he’s still got so much room for improvement in his game too, and surely a Premier League team will fancy taking their chances on him if he can continue his run of form in front of goal for the remainder of the season.

If the Baggies want to have any chance of keeping Price beyond this term, then they have to be in the Premier League next season, as the Northern Ireland international will be hunting to play at the top end of the game for as many years as possible. However, that aim is hanging in the balance due to their inconsistencies.

If promotion doesn't happen, then at least the Black Country outfit will net a huge profit on the original £2.5m they paid for him, which will be essential to revamping the squad even further over the coming years in order to be successful in the second-tier.