£20k-a-week player looks set for West Brom exit – It’s surely inevitable after Tony Mowbray words | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray’s recent comments indicate Gianluca Frabotta may not be a West Brom player beyond this season.

West Bromwich Albion are seeking a return to the Premier League at the fourth attempt, hoping Tony Mowbray can achieve promotion for a second time at The Hawthorns.

The former Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers coach took the Baggies back to the big time back in 2007 and is tasked to do it all over again in the Black Country.

Under Mowbray so far, Albion have managed to keep themselves in the mix for the play-offs come the end of the season, unbeaten in eight of the 11 matches managed so far under the 61-year-old.

This leaves West Brom clinging onto sixth place in the table, ahead of Bristol City only on goal difference.

Albion will need every player they can count upon to help fend off the chasing pack, with it set to be a dogfight up until the final ball is kicked.

One player who is unlikely to play any part in a promotion bid, however, is Gianluca Frabotta, who has undergone a disastrous first campaign in England with Albion.

The former Juventus man has failed to impress either Carlos Corberan or Mowbray, and after the latter’s comments on the situation, it appears his future is only heading in one direction come the beginning of next term.

Gianluca Frabotta’s struggles in a West Brom shirt

It’s been a nightmare opening season in the blue and white stripes for Gianluca Frabotta, failing to make a competitive start in the Championship.

The Italian, who earns a reported £20,000 a week according to Capology, has featured off the bench just six times throughout this campaign, totalling 59 minutes of action, while his only start came in a Carabao Cup defeat away at Fleetwood Town.

Frabotta has failed to establish himself in any capacity in the first-team setup, falling down the pecking order at left-back behind Callum Styles, while Torbjorn Heggem was preferred at full-back over Frabotta in their most recent clash with Hull to replace the injured Hungarian, as Mason Holgate partnered Kyle Bartley in the centre of defense.

Seemingly third-choice for his place in the backline, Baggies boss Tony Mowbray also dropped a damning statement about Frabotta’s place in the team, indicating the 25-year-old isn’t close to being considered for selection.

As reported by the Express & Star, Mowbray said: "Frabotta ... I just can't see how Frabotta's up to speed and ready to play in our first team at this moment.”

These will be concerning things to hear from Frabotta’s perspective, with it appearing that he won’t make another appearance again for the remainder of the season given Mowbray’s opinion.

Gianluca Frabotta should leave West Brom at the end of the season

With Gianluca Frabotta struggling to make the mark at West Brom, it’s probably for the best that a deal is sorted to suit both parties.

Frabotta originally signed a three-year contract at The Hawthorns when joining from Juventus, so it may be difficult for the Baggies to offload him on a permanent basis.

Therefore, a loan move away next season could be what is needed to help reignite his career and get him moving in a forward direction under a new regime and different environment.

It may be worth West Brom including an obligation to buy in any loan deal they agree, to ensure Frabotta makes his exit as quickly as possible to put a dismal spell to an end.