Okay Yokuslu out: 2 deals West Brom can be expected to make before the EFL kick-off on August 9th | OneFootball

FLW has a look at two deals that could take place involving West Brom ahead of the Championship season.

Highlights

West Brom will be expected to be in the mix for automatic promotion in the 2024/25 season, with Carlos Corberan hoping to be the man to lead the club back to the Premier League.

The Spaniard has done an outstanding job since he was named as Steve Bruce’s successor in 2022, transforming Albion from a side that were in the relegation zone to one that has pushed for promotion.

Unfortunately for the Baggies, they fell short last season, with Southampton beating Corberan’s side over two legs back in May.

West Brom’s summer transfer plans

However, with new owner Shilen Patel in place, there is optimism about what the future can hold, and moves have already been made in the market in a bid to strengthen the group.

Yet, you still get the feeling that there’s a lot more business to do, with Corberan and the recruitment team sure to have several areas they want to improve.

But, it won’t all be about incomings, and whilst Patel has already allowed the club to spend more than they did under the previous regime, the American businessman has acknowledged that they have to comply with PSR rules.

Therefore, player trading will be required, and here we look at TWO deals that could be on the cards before the Championship starts in a matter of weeks…

The Turkish international has been a key performer for the Baggies since he returned to the club for his second spell, so you would normally not entertain the idea of selling Yokuslu.

From a football perspective, the midfielder still has a lot to offer, and he was a regular in Corberan’s XI last season as Albion finished in the top six.

But, at 30, you could argue that Yokuslu is not the long-term answer for Albion in that role, although the biggest reason for the Baggies to cash in on the player is his contract situation.

Yokuslu has entered the final 12 months of his deal at The Hawthorns, so it has put the club in a difficult situation. Do they offer a longer contract to someone who could be on the decline in the years to come? Alternatively, they could agree to a sale.

There is plenty of interest in Yokuslu, with Hull and Trabzonspor among the suitors of the ex-Celta Vigo man, so now might be the right time to make what would be a tough decision for West Brom.

In: Cameron Brannagan

Whether Yokuslu does move on or not, you could argue that Albion should be in the market for a midfielder, and they have been linked with Oxford United’s Brannagan.

He is another player who is out of contract in 2025, and Albion could be in a position to exploit that to their favour.

Doing a deal for Brannagan may be tougher now the U’s are in the Championship, but you would still imagine that the player would see Albion as a big step-up.

His ability on the ball would make the 28-year-old a shrewd addition for Corberan, as he would add more intensity and bite in the middle of the park as well.

Crucially, he also provides another goal threat, with Brannagan having scored 36 goals in the past three seasons. Admittedly, it was in League One, and many were penalties, but it shows that the ex-Liverpool youngster would bring a different dynamic to the team.