Josh Griffiths' weekly West Brom wage as Stoke City push for move | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion shot-stopper Josh Griffiths has been linked with a move to Championship rivals Stoke City

It wasn't a year to remember for West Bromwich Albion fans, who will be hoping their club can have a strong summer transfer window in a bid to avoid a near-similar fate next season.

Indeed, it wasn't a particularly enjoyable year for West Brom supporters.

Having started brightly under Ryan Mason, things quickly tailed off under the former Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City midfielder, with the club's away form in particular a huge reason for their struggles.

Mason was dismissed in January with the Baggies just above the drop, and was replaced by Welsh manager Eric Ramsay, who had previously been working as head coach of MLS side Minnesota United.

Ramsay's time at the helm went even worse, winning none of his nine games in charge, and he was sacked after just a month, with James Morrison stepping in and saving the day, as he had done so many times previously as a player.

Morrison helped to steer the club away from relegation and was subsequently given the head coach role permanently after his good work, and the former midfielder has a huge decision to make this summer about the future of one of his players, with Stoke City lurking.

How much Josh Griffiths earns at West Bromwich Albion, with Stoke City plotting transfer

The goalkeeper position has been a particular area of struggle for the Baggies across the campaign.

Josh Griffiths was made the Baggies' first-choice option between the sticks to begin the season, after loans in the EFL with the likes of Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City, Portsmouth, and Bristol Rovers previously.

Griffiths, 24, would lose his place to Joe Wildsmith by December, following a string of poor performances, a big call made by Mason, but Wildsmith did little to instil confidence into Baggies supporters either.

As the January window rolled around and Ramsay took Mason's place, Max O'Leary joined on a short-term contract from Bristol City to be the club's new number one, and impressed in the second half of the campaign, and has been rewarded by being offered a new deal to stay at the Hawthorns.

This almost certainly means that Griffiths will be second choice at best next campaign, and according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, division rivals Stoke are looking to take advantage of his situation and prise him away from the Black Country this summer.

Stoke themselves have re-signed Swedish number one Viktor Johansson to a fresh four-year deal in the Potteries, and would view Griffiths as a backup option initially.

Under contract until the summer of 2027, with 12 months to go on his current deal, Mark Robins' side could be looking to lure Griffiths to the bet365 Stadium for a cut-price deal.

According to estimates from Capology, Griffiths currently earns around £6k per week at the Baggies, which, by Championship standards, is an exceptionally modest pay package.

Stoke would absolutely be able to afford his salary and even offer him a minor increase on his current terms to sweeten the deal, as Griffiths current contract would not hinder any move from occurring.

Whether the Englishman would be willing to swap the bench in the Black Country for one in the Potteries, at this stage, remains to be seen, as he may want to fight for his place at his boyhood club.

Mark Robins must ensure a strong backup option is signed this summer to deputise for Viktor Johansson amid Josh Griffiths links

Across a huge portion of the season, Stoke maintained one of the best defensive records in the division.

Then, injuries to each of Johansson, his replacement Gavin Bazunu, as well as defenders Junior Tchamadeu, Aaron Cresswell, Ben Wilmot, Ben Gibson, Maksym Talovierov, and Bosun Lawal hindered that record.

Bazunu continued his shakiness following his January arrival on loan from Southampton, whilst Jack Bonham left for Bolton Wanderers in the winter window, and Tommy Simkin could not replicate Johansson's output when called upon.

A reliable deputy in case anything happens to Johansson is imperative, and Stoke seemingly think West Brom's Griffiths is that person.