West Brom confirm double player decision - £7m star’s exit is a ‘loss’ | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has commented on Albion’s contract decisions involving Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

West Brom have started putting plans in place ahead of the 2026-27 campaign after securing their second tier status under James Morrison.

A goalless draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town was enough to get the Black Country outfit over the line in their quest for survival last month, despite the EFL's decision to deduct the Baggies two points for breaching P&S rules.

The Baggies legend has since been made the permanent head coach at The Hawthorns, penning a two-year contract and hopeful of getting the club back towards the top end of the Championship table next season.

Now, with the regular campaign all over, Albion are set for somewhat of a rebuild after confirming a host of first-team figures will depart The Hawthorns at the end of their current deals.

The Baggies confirmed via their club website that both Jed Wallace and Joe Wildsmith will be heading for the exit doors on free transfers, while contract offers have been made to goalkeeper Max O’Leary and winger Karlan Grant.

Much anticipation was geared to how Albion would address their forward department, with both Josh Maja and Daryl Dike out of contract themselves.

And the Black Country outfit revealed they had reached out to Maja over extending his stay, but that the curtain would be called on Dike’s four-year spell at The Hawthorns.

With this in mind, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has reacted to the decision and commented on whether Albion have made the correct calls over the two frontmen.

Daryl Dike exit will be a ‘loss’ for West Brom

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess believes West Brom have made the correct choice by aiming to keep Josh Maja over Daryl Dike due to the American’s ‘injury risk’ but thinks Albion will still feel a ‘loss’ by waving goodbye to such a fan favourite.

Callum told FLW: “I can see the pros and cons to keeping both of them, but I think the injury risk with Dike outweighs a lot of Maja’s cons, and with Maja, you’ve got someone who is a proven goalscorer at Championship level.

"His link up play towards the end of the season returned to its best that he showcased in the season prior, where up to January he did reach up to 12 goals for us, and if he did not get injured, who knows how many he would have ended the season on and how Albion’s chances could have ended that campaign.

“I definitely think Dike will be a loss for Albion if he does keep himself fit at his next club, but I think out of the two, Maja is less of a risk.”

West Brom right to part ways with Daryl Dike but look to hold on to Josh Maja

All connected with West Brom will feel bitterly disappointed that Daryl Dike’s time at the club has ended up going down the path it has, with several devastating injuries ruining the impact that a very accomplished Championship forward could make.

After getting a run of games in the team again under James Morrison’s guidance towards the back end of the season, the forward added vital strikes against Preston North End and Watford to push the Baggies on their way to securing safety, showing his worth at this level.

But on the whole, Albion could not take the gamble of another season with Dike, with there a huge risk that he could suffer an injury in pre-season after spending vital financial resources on an extended deal.

While Josh Maja has had issues on the treatment table himself, those have come from impact injuries and not signs that his body breaks down easily, with the Nigerian international featuring in 40 of their 46 Championship games this season.

Provided the Baggies can add quality through the wide areas and in attacking midfield, the service and chances to Maja should drastically improve, and the 27-year-old has shown throughout his career that he can be a clinical frontman that can heavily contribute to a promotion push.

His 12 goals under Carlos Corberan in the 2024-25 season provides optimism that he can reach those levels again, and if the club can tie him down to a new deal, then it could be the best bit of summer business they do, with Albion then having a base to build their attacking talent around.