Football League World
·7 July 2024
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·7 July 2024
FLW looks at how this could turn out to be a perfect transfer window for West Brom.
West Brom have already been active in the summer transfer market as Carlos Corberan looks to build a team that can win promotion after their play-off heartbreak last season.
The Spaniard has done an outstanding job since his appointment, transforming Albion from a side that was struggling to one that has been pushing for promotion, although they fell short over two legs against Southampton back in May.
Despite that, there is a positivity surrounding West Brom heading into the new season, with the Baggies having retained Corberan even though there was interest from Burnley and Leicester.
Crucially, they’re also embarking on their first window under new owner Shilen Patel, which means Corberan will be given more financial backing to bring in his own signings, having not spent a transfer fee on a player prior to this month.
Midfielder Ousmane Diakite is already through the door, and Kyle Bartley has put pen to paper on a new contract after an impressive campaign last time out.
More activity is on the cards, and here we look at how a perfect window could play out for Albion.
Admittedly, this is a long shot, as Kipre has a new contract on the table from West Brom, but he hasn’t signed it, meaning he is a free agent, with plenty of top-flight interest in the player.
But, until Kipre goes elsewhere, there will always be a bit of hope that he could be convinced to return to The Hawthorns, as he clearly enjoyed last season under Corberan.
The powerful centre-back was a rock at the back for Albion, and he deservedly claimed the Player of the Year award for his performances, so it would be a real coup if they did manage to convince the ex-Motherwell man to stay, although there is interest from the likes of Ipswich Town, Strasbourg and Trabzonspor for his services.
Johnston is another important figure from the side that reached the play-offs, having signed for Albion on loan from Celtic in the January window.
In his 20 appearances, the Ireland international scored seven times, and some of those were incredible individual efforts that highlighted just how good the winger can be on his day.
It seems unlikely that Johnston will have a future at Celtic, so a summer move is probable, but it has been said that the Scottish champions want £6m, so he would be an expensive purchase for the Baggies.
When you look at Johnston’s age, record and potential, it does seem a fair price, so if the money is available, it would be a shrewd addition. He knows the team, Corberan clearly rates him, and he has shown he can deliver in the Championship, so bringing Johnston back would make sense if it’s financially possible.
It won’t all be about incomings this summer, as Albion will need to balance the books, with Karlan Grant someone who they will surely look to move on.
Surprisingly, he still has two years left on his contract at The Hawthorns, so finding a buyer won’t be straightforward, particularly as Grant only managed six goals in 39 appearances on loan at Cardiff last season.
That means Albion may have to settle for another temporary deal, but if it gets Grant’s wages off the books, then it could be worthwhile.
It seems apparent that Corberan isn’t a big fan of the player, so if Albion can reduce the wage bill and free up space and funds to bring in a new number nine, it would seem smart business for the Midlands outfit.