West Brom push to sign 25-year-old who Eric Ramsay has 'explicitly requested' | OneFootball

The Baggies could make a move for Austin FC left-back Joseph Rosales during the remainder of the winter transfer window.

West Brom are reportedly interested in signing Austin FC left-back Joseph Rosales before the 2nd February deadline.

This has emerged through a report from Diez, who claim Baggies boss Eric Ramsay wants to link back up with the defender after working together during his time as Minnesota United manager.

An additional tweet from Diez journalist Gustavo Roca has detailed how Ramsay appreciates the player and has ‘explicitly requested’ Albion to move for his signature.

It further adds that West Brom are keen on securing Rosales' services as soon as possible and that the Honduras international would ‘leave MLS immediately’ to reunite with Ramsay at The Hawthorns.

The Black Country outfit are in desperate need of fresh faces and quality to help transform their fortunes, with the Baggies currently just three points off the bottom three heading into a relegation six-pointer away to Portsmouth at Fratton Park this coming Saturday afternoon.

With Rosales able to operate at either left-back or in midfield, it offers much-needed versatility in two key areas, with the Baggies struggling for options there throughout the season due to either injuries or a general lack of depth.

So far this window, Albion have brought in just one player in the form of goalkeeper Max O’Leary from Bristol City, who will be focused on winning over the supporters following his dreadful error in a last-gasp draw away at Derby County.

And now it appears the West Brom hierarchy are looking to go the extra mile and give Ramsay some outfield players to help fit his new-look system, in order to help give them the best possible chance of beating the drop.

West Brom have reportedly placed Austin FC left-back Joseph Rosales on their list of targets to pursue for the remainder of the winter transfer window.

This according to a report from Diez, who claim that Albion head coach Eric Ramsay wants to reunite with the defender after the pair worked together at Minnesota United.

A tweet from Diez journalist Gustavo Roca added some further details, revealing how much Ramsay appreciates the player and that he has ‘explicitly requested’ the Albion hierarchy to make a move for the 25-year-old.

It was also mentioned that the Honduras international would ‘leave MLS immediately’ to reunite with Ramsay at The Hawthorns, if the opportunity presented itself.

It would be a shock for Rosales to move to another club given he only departed Minnesota for Austin FC earlier this month, penning a contract until December 2029 with an option for another year, although he is yet to make his debut for the American outfit.

Diez have reported that Rosales has a release clause in his contract, but a figure isn’t mentioned. Austin FC reportedly paid $1.2m (£870k), so any fee West Brom have to pay would be higher than that, although it’s believed that this clause should be easy enough for Albion to swoop in and secure a deal.

Rosales was such a versatile player in the MLS season just gone under Ramsay, playing either left-back, left-wing or in central midfield, which would be a huge positive as the Baggies squad looks to have healthy options in all departments due to the relentless scheduling of the second-tier.

Rosales played 52 games under Ramsay over two seasons, so he’s very much used to the Welshman’s methods and way of working, allowing him to slot effortlessly into Championship life and make an impact.

It’s relieving to see Eric Ramsay urging the West Brom board to address the issue they currently face at left-back, which is badly lacking in both quality, but depth too.

Charlie Taylor was originally brought in on loan from Southampton to challenge Callum Styles for a left-back place, but with his evident lack of pace and mobility, the 32-year-old has been utilised in central defence by Ramsay, and his predecessor Ryan Mason.

Meanwhile, a recent injury crisis in midfield to the likes of Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby has meant Styles has had to step in to the middle of the park, and while he’s familiar with it in his role for the Hungarian national side, Albion just look so much more balanced and solid when Styles is operating on the left side of defence.

So this is where the Baggies need to bring in another option to offer competition in the ranks, and Joseph Rosales would certainly fit the bill.

An attacking presence, Rosales has proven he can drive down the left flank and be a creator as well as being competent in his usual defensive duties, notching eight assists in the 2024 campaign, strictly utilised more in left-back or left-wing roles.

While his attacking numbers took a dip this campaign, that was because he was often chopping and changing between positions, which involved periods in central midfield.

That kind of versatility can only be a bonus to West Brom though if a deal was to get done, particularly when Albion have already this season been hamstrung for options at both left-back and in the middle of the park.

Eric Ramsay clearly feels Rosales can jump into the Championship and make his mark in the blue and white stripes, with some additions critical to Albion leapfrogging away from relegation danger, even if they remain limited with what they can do financially.