West Brom can break Bolton hearts with Brighton transfer | OneFootball

West Brom should consider a move for Amario Cozier-Duberry this summer after Jed Wallace's departure

West Bromwich Albion are set to begin a new era under head coach James Morrison, as the Baggies aim to avoid another year fighting at the bottom of the Championship, but instead, battling towards the top.

Indeed, it was not a typical year for Baggies supporters, who, for the first time in 25 years, finished in the bottom half of the second tier, having only ever finished in the top half of the Championship or in the Premier League during that period.

Ryan Mason's tenure, whilst it showed bright glimpses, proved to be a disaster, and when Eric Ramsay stepped in as his replacement, their fortunes only worsened, and a relegation to the third tier was on the cards.

Ramsay won none of his nine games in charge, as former midfielder James Morrison was appointed on an interim basis in the hopes of guiding the club to safety, which he would eventually manage to do, and has subsequently been awarded the position permanently.

The Scot has made the addition of Jimmy-Jay Morgan from Chelsea and Carter Pinnington from Liverpool to begin the club's summer window, and with business likely only just getting started, Morrison ought to target a replacement for the outgoing Jed Wallace and should set his sights on a player who shone in League One last season.

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Following Wallace's departure, West Brom's options on the right flank are extremely slim.

Wallace, 32, spent four seasons at The Hawthorns, scoring 16 and assisting 16 across 150 appearances in all competitions for the club, and leaves as a solid servant.

However, Morrison will be well aware of his need to replace the former Millwall winger, and should look to sign Amario Cozier-Duberry from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, with the winger having shone in the third tier with Bolton Wanderers last season.

Cozier-Duberry, 21, came through the youth ranks with Arsenal, failing to make a senior appearance for the Gunners, before joining Brighton permanently in the summer of 2024, and would spend the season on loan with Blackburn Rovers, but struggled to make an impact in the Championship at Ewood Park.

The England youth international would play just 700 minutes across 22 league appearances during his stay in Lancashire, and upon his return to Brighton, he would once again head out on loan, this time to League One Bolton Wanderers to link up with former Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher.

It didn't take Cozier-Duberry long to endear himself to the Bolton faithful, grabbing three assists in his opening five appearances, and notching his first league goal for the club on his seventh appearance in a 3-0 home win over AFC Wimbledon, and netting in the game after in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.

The former Arsenal youth prospect continued his fine form on the right flank for the Trotters over the course of the campaign, and though he would tear his knee ligaments at the end of January, ruling him out for over two months, he'd hit form upon his return to the side, scoring two and assisting three in his final four league games of the season to help Bolton sneak into the play-offs.

The Trotters would defeat Bradford City 2-0 over two legs, with Cozier-Duberry netting the only goal in their home leg, and would grab an assist in the final in a 4-1 win over Stockport County to send Bolton back to the second tier.

Now, due to return to Brighton this summer, discussions over his future have taken place, though no decision has yet been made over where he will be playing his football next season.

With two years left to run on his current deal on the South Coast, there is every chance he could sign fresh terms with the Seagulls before heading out on loan once again, with the Championship being most likely his next destination.

West Brom ought to be in the mix for his services this summer, should he become available, offering an excellent alternative to the outgoing Wallace on the right flank, with Cozier-Duberry ready to take the next step in his career to the second tier.

Bolton will likely want a reunion as well, but West Brom should be challenging them for his services this summer, with the winger having the potential to take the Baggies' attack to the next level.

James Morrison will be aiming to stamp his authority on the West Brom squad this summer

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Having already completed deals for Morgan and Pinnington, Morrison is wasting no time in asserting his authority on the Baggies squad, as the former midfielder looks to have his former side fighting at the other end of the table next season.

With wide options severely lacking in the West Brom ranks, wingers will surely be high up on Morrison's agenda, and he could do a lot worse than Cozier-Duberry.

Though he struggled during his last spell in the second tier with Blackburn, the 21-year-old will be heading into next season with an abundance of confidence, having spent a year developing in the third tier, and could take the Championship by storm.