West Brom urged to beat QPR in Oxford United transfer race | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit wants his side to sign Brodie Spencer to provide competition at right-back for Nolan Galves

While there was no doubting the good job that George Campbell did at right-back last season at West Brom, the American was initially signed as a centre-back, and that showed when the Baggies brought Danny Imray in on loan, and he was moved inside.

However, with the former Crystal Palace man signing for divisional rivals Wrexham this summer for a reported £5 million, James Morrison needed fresh options on the right side to avoid utilising Campbell there once more.

Frenchman Nolan Galves became West Brom's fifth signing of the window, arriving from Ligue 2 side Rodez, whom he helped make the play-offs last season. The recently turned 23-year-old will definitely be earmarked as a replacement for Imray.

Alfie Gilchrist is a useful backup to have behind Galves, but he was unfavoured in large parts under all three Baggies bosses last season. Perhaps another right-back will be targeted, and West Brom have their eyes on Oxford United's Brodie Spencer.

West Brom battling QPR for Brodie Spencer's signature

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According to an exclusive from Football League World, West Brom are rivalling QPR in a race for Oxford's versatile defender Brodie Spencer, following the Yellows' relegation from the Championship last summer.

New Oxford boss Aaron Ramsey is facing a difficult first transfer window in charge at the Kassam Stadium, as not only are the Yellows under a transfer embargo, but the future of some players is still uncertain, especially those who have the quality to continue their careers in the second tier.

Spencer definitely falls into that catagory, despite only arriving at the Kassam last summer from Huddersfield Town. The 22-year-old is someone with great potential, and has the versatility to play all across the backline.

Therefore, despite only starting 23 Championship games for Oxford last season, there's interest in him from sides with play-off hopes this upcoming season, as he can not only provide cover at right-back, but also at left-back and even in the middle of the back four, too.

West Brom fan pundit endorses move for Brodie Spencer

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FLW's West Brom fan pundit, Callum Burgess, is encouraged by the links to Spencer, given his versatility and ability to challenge for a position across the backline.

He also feels that, while Galves is through the door, the starting right-back role isn't automatically his, and backs the 22-year-old to offer good competition to the Frenchman to take that spot in the early stages of the campaign.

"I could see a lot of sense in us going for Spencer," he said. "He has a lot of versatility playing at right-back, left-back and possibly even centre-back as well.

"It would be a good addition to have both him and Nolan Galves fighting for the right-back spot, and would also open the door for us to send Alex Williams out on loan so he can get some much-needed, consistent game time.

"I think that Spencer could be a very decent option for us to have in the squad."

With Gilchrist also in reserve, someone like 21-year-old Williams would definitely be open to leaving on loan this summer.

The Welsh Under-21 international is a product of the West Brom academy, and made his first two senior appearances for the Baggies last season — in the EFL Cup against Derby County and the Championship a couple of weeks later against Stoke City.

Brodie Spencer would be mainly a right-back option at West Brom, but could slot in elsewhere if needed

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There's an argument to be made that West Brom's centre-back core is arguably the strongest in the Championship, with Campbell and Nat Phillips being backed up by Krystian Bielik and Chris Mepham.

At left-back, the Baggies secured the return of Conor Townsend from Ipswich Town, who will come in to back up Callum Styles.

Therefore, Spencer would definitely be earmarked as someone who could contend for the right-back spot with Galves first, but that's not to say he couldn't provide useful cover elsewhere throughout a long season.

Townsend hasn't played in a year after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season with Ipswich last year, so it's uncertain how much of a role he'll be able to play throughout the campaign. Additionally, you have to account for potential injuries, and that deep centre-back core may be weakened as the year goes on.

Having a Swiss Army knife-like defender on the books, such as Spencer, will always ensure that cover is there if needed. That, plus his ability to grow and improve at a Championship club fighting to get into the play-offs, rather than avoid relegation, is why the 22-year-old is so highly sought after.