Exclusive: West Brom told they have received "massive boost" - it involves Isaac Price | OneFootball

Isaac Price could be vital to Albion's aims under Ryan Mason this season

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes the retention of Isaac Price offers West Bromwich Albion a "massive boost" heading into the remainder of the Championship season.

There was plenty of transfer activity at The Hawthorns this summer as Ryan Mason took charge of Albion in what is the former midfielder's first full-time managerial role after departing Tottenham Hotspur, with a number of seasoned campaigners departing the club whilst the 34-year-old looked to add plenty of new blood to his squad.

A lot of Mason's incomings came in the defensive department as the likes of George Campbell, Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham, Krystian Bielik and Alfie Gilchrist all moved to B71 to replace outgoings such as Torbjorn Heggem, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi.

Yet, despite losing prized asset Tom Fellows for a reported £10m to Southampton, the Baggies were able to retain the services of Isaac Price, with the versatile performer set to be a key option for Mason as the relentless campaign continues, having initially shone in this part of the West Midlands following his own move back in January.

Lee Hendrie describes Isaac Price retention as a "massive boost" to West Bromwich Albion's Championship aims under Ryan Mason

Price moved to this part of the West Midlands during Tony Mowbray's solitary transfer window in his second spell in charge of the club, moving from Belgian Pro League outfit, Standard Liege on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The Northern Irish international had been viewed as one of Europe's most highly-rated young midfield players, meaning it was unsurprising when it was viewed as a major coup that Albion had managed to land his signature for such a minimal fee in comparison to several players of a similar ilk.

Price immediately showcased why those views were rife, impressing the masses at The Hawthorns despite the Baggies' slump down the table in the latter stages of the campaign, featuring in all kinds of different midfield and defensive roles.

Despite his versatile nature, Mason has opted to utilise the 21-year-old in an advanced midfield role in the opening month of the current campaign - a decision that has proven to be a stroke of genius with Price netting three goals in the opening four Championship encounters, as well as posting two assists in the league and EFL Cup.

All this comes after reported interest in the 18-time international from newly-promoted Sunderland in the latter stages of the recently-closed summer window. Therefore, Hendrie sees his retention as a major plus point to Albion's already strong start as he spoke exclusively to Football League World.

"I'm sure this is a huge boost to Ryan Mason and his West Bromwich Albion squad," the former Aston Villa midfielder stated. "Players who can be so important in your push and drive forward. In particular, Isaac Price.

"You think to yourself, if he leaves the football club, you don't know whether he's going to go and become an outstanding player, which I think he's got bags of potential to be," he claimed.

"I think keeping him at the club is huge, I really do.

"I think you might see a lot more of him now he's ended up staying. Hopefully it works well for the player and West Bromwich Albion, but it will be a massive boost that they've still got him. There's no doubt about that."

Isaac Price has the potential to make West Bromwich Albion a fortune over time

Performing at such a high standard is what alerted Premier League clubs to Price's signature just months after returning to the UK, and it will be no surprise to see him as a top-flight regular in the coming years as a result.

Not only was his quality, composure and technical ability a key reason as to why Albion needed to keep Price at The Hawthorns, but following the departure of Fellows, Mason has yet another option who is able to fulfill a role out wide if necessary, despite also having the experienced bodies of Mikey Johnston and Jed Wallace as natural wingers to call upon.

The former Everton academy graduate has become one of the Championship's standout performers in such a short period of time, which also means he is likely to make West Brom a significant profit on their initial investment, which would definitely give his former clubs a major sense of transfer regret.