Shilen Patel must plot West Brom transfer re-think as Celtic take action | OneFootball

The Baggies must demand more than the reported £2.5m fee that Celtic are prepared to pay for George Campbell.

West Brom will be in the process of making plans for the 2026-27 campaign after securing their second tier status under James Morrison.

A goalless draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town was enough to get the Black Country outfit over the line in their quest for survival, with the EFL's decision to deduct the Baggies two points for breaching P&S rules galvanising Morrison’s men, who showed so much heart and desire to go toe-to-toe with a team that has gone onto secure promotion into the Premier League.

And from such a remarkable turnaround, the Baggies legend has been made the permanent head coach at The Hawthorns, penning a two-year contract and hopeful of getting the club back towards the top end of the Championship table next season.

His first game in permanent charge of the side wouldn’t have gone as he intended though, as the Baggies’ 10-game unbeaten run was brought to an end at Sheffield Wednesday, with the visitors falling to a 2-1 defeat in front of a raucous Hillsborough crowd.

Alas, the result makes no difference to the Albion, who remain in the Championship, but have to ensure a season like this isn’t repeated again.

Of course, as the summer transfer window draws closer, speculation will be rife about both arrivals and departures, as the Baggies prepare for somewhat of a rebuild.

But a link has emerged in a player many Albion supporters will not have expected to be touted for an exit, as central defender George Campbell has drawn interest from Scottish giants Celtic this summer.

A report has emerged stating Albion would be prepared to part ways with the American international for £2.5m, despite having three years left on his contract.

If this is true, then controlling shareholder Shilen Patel must reconsider his valuation on Campbell and demand a lot more for a player who has had an impressive opening season in the Championship and can possess a much stronger resale value over the long-term future.

George Campbell linked with Celtic summer switch

As per a report by CeltsAreHere, it has been revealed that Scottish giants Celtic are weighing up a summer move for West Brom defender George Campbell.

Celtic are believed to have held discussions over making a move for the American international, which is a position they are desperate to fill after an injury to Cameron Carter-Vickers.

It has also been stated Albion would be interested in letting Campbell leave for £2.5m, despite the 24-year-old still having three years left on his current deal at The Hawthorns.

Campbell reportedly has interest from other top Championship clubs and in the Bundesliga, so a battle may be emerging for his signature heading into the summer.

West Brom should be demanding a lot more money for George Campbell

The emerging news this week about George Campbell will have been a surprise to many West Brom supporters, but that feeling may have turned to anger when seeing that the club would be willing to accept such a low fee.

Making the move to the Championship from the MLS, it’s been a tough introductory campaign for the defender, but he has passed the challenge with flying colours after a period of instability for the club.

Joining as a summer recruit under Ryan Mason, Campbell was used for the majority of his tenure as a right-back, despite favouring a role in the heart of the backline.

Regardless though, Campbell gave every ounce of effort in that position, matching his dogged defensive work with some outstanding contributions in the final third, grabbing assists against Swansea City and Sheffield United before netting his first goal for the club during the festive period in a home victory over Queens Park Rangers.

After a change of manager at the beginning of the year to Eric Ramsay, Campbell started just two of the eight Championship matches that the Welshman was in charge of.

In what was a dismal period personally, Campbell returned under the interim spell of Morrison and moved into the centre of defence, which has seen him go from strength-to-strength.

Creating a formidable partnership with Nat Phillips, Campbell was the man to reignite Albion’s survival hopes, netting a rasping equaliser at Sheffield United, which would go on to be the catalyst of an unbelievable 10-game unbeaten run.

Campbell would be at the heart of Morrison’s men keeping six clean sheets in seven outings, while a vital headed effort at Bristol City earned a crucial three points in the middle of March – a time when he was nominated for Player of the Month.

The Albion faithful have constantly lauded chants of ‘USA’ to the defender, who has also regularly interacted with supporters at the end of matches in joyous fashion to celebrate some hard-fought and important victories.

A strong, athletic and domineering presence at the back, mixed with his leadership qualities and ability to stay resolute in tough moments, has allowed Campbell to be one of Albion’s standout stars this season, and it’s imperative they keep him on the books heading into next term, with his partnership with Phillips at the back something to build around.

If the Baggies hierarchy were to part ways with Campbell for as little as £2.5m, it would be a deeply unpopular and damaging decision for the club to make, who could make such a larger and significant profit if they continue to allow the defender to thrive and build on such a good opening campaign at this level.

In years to come, Albion could be making double if not triple the touted fee that Celtic are prepared to pay right now, while Campbell’s improvement could see him play a massive part in a possible promotion push, provided their recruitment in other areas this summer is on the money.

Therefore, controlling shareholder Shilen Patel must ensure their heroic defender remains on the books, with the 24-year-old having the potential to be one of the division’s standout players next term, while such a large profit on a future sale could have a much more lasting impact on their financial resources than what it would bring this summer.