£10k-a-week West Brom star tipped for January Hawthorns exit - "it wouldn’t surprise me" | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit has named which one player could depart the club in the January market

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…

West Brom oversaw a busy summer following the appointment of Ryan Mason as their latest manager.

The former Tottenham Hotspur coach is taking on his first role in management, with the Baggies hoping he can guide them to promotion to the Premier League.

The 34-year-old was able to shape the West Brom squad to his liking, bringing in six permanent additions, as well as three loan signings.

A number of players also departed the Hawthorns, including key figures like Tom Fellows and Torbjorn Heggem, as well as Darnell Furlong.

Joe Wildsmith tipped for West Brom exit

When asked which player could seek an exit from the club in January, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess named Joe Wildsmith.

He believes the goalkeeper is now firmly second choice in Mason’s squad, and that he may seek regular game time elsewhere in the winter, suggesting a drop down to League One could be on the cards.

“After losing his place to Josh Griffiths towards the end of the latter end of last season, it wouldn’t surprise me if, soon, that Joe Wildsmith might want to find a new club,” Burgess told Football League World.

“I think it’s been pretty much established now that Griffiths is going to be our number one this season, and for the foreseeable future unless any keepers are signed.

“So I think that Wildsmith won’t be wanting to spend too much time on the subs bench, and he’ll be actively pursuing first team football.

“And I think that he’s a goalkeeper, throughout his career, has not had that much playing time.

“He did well at Derby County in his final season there, winning the golden glove in League One of course, but I think, to me, that might be his level, personally.

“So, I think if Albion are able to get another backup goalie or someone to come through the academy who will be a deputy for Griffiths, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Wildsmith wanting to pursue other things.”

West Brom have made a strong start to life under Mason, with the team winning three of their opening four league fixtures, drawing the other.

The Baggies are second in the table with 10 points from a possible 12, remaining unbeaten in these early stages.

Next up for Albion is a home clash against Derby County on 13 September in a 3pm kick-off.

Joe Wildsmith exit would make sense if backup is secured

Wildsmith, who is estimated to earn £10k-a-week at the Baggies, is the only option to replace Griffiths in the squad at the moment unless a youngster from the academy steps up.

So West Brom are likely to want to secure someone they can rely on to take on the mantle of second choice goalkeeper if the 29-year-old is to leave.

Wildsmith was impressive in League One, and there will no doubt be clubs at that level that would be very interested in bringing him in this January if he becomes available.