West Brom urged to seal "quality" AFC Bournemouth transfer as potential Tom Fellows replacement | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit has been discussing the club's reported interest in David Brooks, and what that might mean for Tom Fellows.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

In a busy summer already at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion are seeking to rebuild their squad to challenge for promotion to the Premier League next season.

Now under the management of Ryan Mason, who had been a part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff at Tottenham Hotspur, the Baggies have already seen some high-profile departures such as Semi Ajayi, John Swift and Grady Diangana.

There is also talk that Tom Fellows could also soon leave West Bromwich, with Everton said to be interested, whilst Northern Ireland international Isaac Price is said to be of interest to Burnley and Sunderland.

One player that Albion have been linked with, though, is AFC Bournemouth attacking midfielder David Brooks, who could be set to be deemed as surplus to requirements at the Vitality Stadium.

West Brom handed David Brooks transfer claim

If Brooks, someone who has over 30 caps for the Welsh national team and close to 70 appearances in the Premier League, was to drop down to West Brom, then it would be viewed as a bit of a coup by the Baggies.

His signing would surely be welcomed by West Brom supporters but, as outlined by our Baggies fan pundit, Callum Burgess, his arrival would have to be one of a couple to offset the potential departure of Fellows.

Callum said: “Brooks is certainly a talented player at Championship level and displayed that when he was on loan at Southampton during their play-off winning campaign.

“I think he’s certainly someone who Albion would need, where he can make something happen out of nothing really, and we’ve lost that with (Grady) Diangana leaving the club.

“The only other players that would be capable of doing that are Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows. Should Fellows leave, then he (Brooks) is definitely a player of high quality for Championship level.

“I’d probably prefer a winger in addition to Brooks, where Brooks can play as a bit of a number ten.

“With a winger, you’d want someone in a similar mould to Fellows on the right-wing, where he can go inside and outside and get to the byline to put a cross in. If Albion were to sign David Brooks, then he’d be a quality addition at Championship level.

“I think that despite the quality he does possess, I’d want a winger in addition to him to play on that right-hand side, for competition for places, especially with Jed Wallace not having his best season last year.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see he (Wallace) and Fellows leave at some point in this window, so I’d be asking for two right-wingers.”

Replacing any homegrown talent destined for the big time at any club is a struggle, and West Brom with a new manager at the helm, are set to embark upon that difficult transition.

Fellows provided the joint-most number of assists in the whole of the Championship last season, setting up 14 goals in his 45 appearances, alongside Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy.

The England U21 international will be a tough player to replace at The Hawthorns, but former Sheffield United man Brooks would be a good start, with the 27-year-old able to offer international, top-flight and promotion-winning experience, as well as his naturally impressive technical ability.