West Brom must react as Crystal Palace make decision that may impact Danny Imray | OneFootball

The Baggies will be optimistic about landing Danny Imray as Crystal Palace look set to add to their right-back department.

West Brom will be hopeful of a much more positive 2026-27 campaign after securing their Championship safety under James Morrison last term.

And in an attempt to get back into the promotion mix, the Black Country outfit have made early movements in the summer transfer window, securing three new signings to bolster the squad.

The Baggies kicked off their spending with the addition of forward Barney Stewart from Falkirk, then announcing the arrival of Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington, although the former Reds man will originally be placed into Albion’s U21’s setup for development.

Albion’s third and latest signing is of exciting Chelsea youngster Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

The England U20 international, like Stewart, has penned a four-year contract at The Hawthorns, with Albion spending an up-front fee of £1.3m, while add-ons could take it to as high as £4m.

It’ll be a surprise for Baggies fans to see the club starting the transfer window in such proactive fashion, with Morrison clearly keen on getting fresh faces into the building as early as possible, so they can have a full pre-season and shoot out of the traps from matchday one against Norwich City.

However, the work mustn’t stop there, with the Black Country outfit still requiring a lot more quality additions that can improve each department, with controlling shareholder Shilen Patel echoing that sentiment by confirming in an open letter to supporters that their business is far from finished.

One signing that would create unbridled joy around The Hawthorns was if loanee Danny Imray made a permanent return.

The Crystal Palace loanee was a shining light at right-back under Morrison and crucial to Albion going on a 10-game unbeaten streak, which ultimately kept the Black Country outfit in the second tier.

After being unleashed from the shackles of Eric Ramsay, ‘Mozza’s’ 4-4-2 system allowed Imray to maraud forward down the right-hand side and act like a second winger, with the front-footed full-back notching one goal and two assists from 16 league appearances, with Man of the Match displays against Hull City and Watford.

Mixing such impressive attacking displays with his dogged defensive duties, it’s clear to see why Albion fans want Imray to remain on the club’s books, and if a signing can get over the line, then there would be massive optimism about how the 2026-27 term plays out.

And after the latest Crystal Palace transfer update, the chances of this move happening look to be increasing, with the Eagles set to bolster their right-back department, therefore, hindering Imray’s chances of making a breakthrough at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace transfer update could boost chances of Danny Imray, West Brom permanent deal

West Brom supporters are bound to be buoyed about the club’s chances of sealing a return for Danny Imray this summer, with a report by The Telegraph’s John Percy at the beginning of May revealing that one of Albion’s top targets was to bring the 22-year-old back to the The Hawthorns on a permanent basis.

And now, the chances of this happening have increased further due to Crystal Palace’s latest transfer business.

It’s been reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano this week that the Eagles are set to sign Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza on a free transfer.

The Spaniard can play at right-back or in a wing-back capacity, and looks set to rival Daniel Munoz for a starting spot next season under the new regime of Pierre Sage.

According to Romano, Palace’s capture of Mingueza was described as top ‘secret’, with the South London-based club already agreeing a deal in place over the last 48 hours.

It is a deal that is described as ‘done’, with Palace imminently expected to announce the arrival of the 27-year-old.

West Brom must take advantage of Crystal Palace transfer decision

With Crystal Palace seemingly closing in on adding a new right-back onto their books that can provide competition for Daniel Munoz, it pushes Danny Imray down to third choice in the pecking order.

Of course, Imray will naturally be disappointed by this outcome after holding hope that he could impress and be involved in the Premier League under a different regime, but it now opens the door for an exit from Selhurst Park, which is very likely to happen given the defender is entering the last 12 months of his deal with the top-flight outfit.

Therefore, it will be very appealing for Albion to pursue a move, and they must be at the front of the queue to secure his services.

It’s a final chance Palace have of securing somewhat of a transfer fee for the 22-year-old, but even then, there won’t be that big of a demand given they are likely to accept what they can get, rather than losing him on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2027-28 campaign.

It works out perfectly for the Baggies too, who, despite still being financially hampered, have a lot more wiggle room after fighting off the worst of their P&S troubles, so a deal could well be rather straightforward to negotiate.

You would think the Baggies would be at the top of Imray’s shortlist to move to as well after enjoying such a stellar time in B71, while the fans would be delighted to have him back after adoring his performances under James Morrison.

It is the exact type of signing Albion need if they are to get themselves back into promotion contention following their difficult relegation battle last campaign, with Imray on his way to cementing himself as one of the top wing-backs in the division following his stellar displays just a few months ago.

But such an appealing deal will bring other Championship suitors into play, with the Baggies not expected to be on their own in the pursuit of the former Blackpool defender.