West Brom eye ex-Southampton player to replace Alex Mowatt | OneFootball

The Baggies are eyeing up a move for former Saints midfielder Will Smallbone.

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly eyeing up a move for former Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone, as they look to replace the outgoing Alex Mowatt.

This comes from the Daily Mail, who have detailed that the Republic of Ireland international has emerged as a target for the Baggies, with the 26-year-old still available as a free agent after departing St Mary’s at the start of this summer.

Smallbone is believed to have a number of options on the table, but Albion are apparently one to choose from as they seek a replacement for the departing Mowatt, who looks set to link up with Championship rivals Derby County.

Baggies boss James Morrison has been completing major surgery on his midfield this summer in an attempt to raise the quality levels after a dismal last campaign, and the addition of Smallbone could be the latest part of Albion’s revamp.

West Brom’s summer business and midfield revamp

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The Black Country outfit have already been busy so far this summer by bringing in seven new players, with 20-year-old French midfielder Rabby Nzingoula the latest arrival from Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, a player who was exclusively revealed to be of interest to the Baggies here at FLW.

Other signings have included defenders Nolan Galves, Carter Pinnington and Conor Townsend, midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, and forwards Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, with all more than playing their parts over pre-season and in their romping Carabao Cup first round victory over Rotherham United last week.

And by bolstering their midfield department in particular, it’s no surprise that someone like Mowatt, who is now 31 and has just 12 months left on his current contract, is close to departing The Hawthorns, while Jayson Molumby has also been touted with a move to Wrexham in recent times, and could depart before the deadline.

Therefore, it leaves another spot open for a midfielder to come into the group, and it could well be Will Smallbone, who would be such a shrewd signing on a free transfer.

West Brom interested in free agent midfielder Will Smallbone

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As per a report by the Daily Mail, West Brom are showing an interest in former Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone this summer, as they look to replace the outgoing Alex Mowatt.

The 31-year-old Mowatt entered the final year of his current deal at The Hawthorns, and the club have decided to cash in on a sale to avoid losing him on a free next season, with the former Barnsley midfielder closing in on a move to Derby County.

This will open up a fresh place for a midfielder to come into the Albion ranks, and Smallbone could well be that player, with the 26-year-old still a free agent following his exit from Southampton this summer.

Smallbone is believed to have a number of teams interested in securing his services, but Albion are an option available to the Republic of Ireland international, while the Baggies could be an appealing proposition given they are entering a new era under James Morrison.

Will Smallbone would be an excellent capture for West Brom

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There’s no doubt Will Smallbone would be an exciting replacement for West Brom, as, at 26, he still has some of the best years ahead of him in his career.

While he has suffered injury issues of late, Smallbone would still feel like a risk-free signing as a free agent, particularly due to his experience at Championship level.

Albion would also be getting a player who will want to prove himself on a regular basis in the second tier, and by featuring for the Saints in the Premier League earlier on in his career, it's clear to see he's a player that possesses real quality.

Once again, it would be a further injection of quality and competition into the midfield ranks, while Smallbone’s second tier knowhow would certainly benefit the likes of Rabby Nzingoula and Felix Horn Myhre to settle in and know what to expect from Championship life very quickly.

This sort of signing would feel like a real statement of intent by the Baggies, who, by revamping their midfield line, are standing themselves in good stead to be looking up the Championship table this coming season, rather than over their shoulders.