OPINION
With Newcastle United reported to be interested in Kieran Gibbs, West Brom should sell him in order to fund their squad rebuild.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Gibbs is a target for Newcastle this summer but may be priced out of a move due to a high asking price.
However, the Baggies must drop the high asking price and get rid of the former Arsenal man in order to raise funds for a summer squad rebuild.
The 28-year-old speedster, who earns £55,000-per-week at The Hawthorns (Spotrac), has been nothing short of disappointing since his move from the Gunners in last summers transfer window.
The left-back was one of many senior players who did not perform anywhere near their usual standard of performance last season, which culminated in the clubs relegation from the Premier League.
Under three different managers, Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew and Darren Moore, Gibbs consistently underperformed and can now only be described as a poor signing.
That’s why, with the Magpies reportedly interested in his signature, the Baggies need to get rid as soon as possible. They can command a decent fee and they will also get his high wages off their wage bill, which will allow them to strengthen further in this window.
The Midlands club have already signed Gibbs’ replacement anyway, with the highly-rated Conor Townsend arriving from Scunthorpe over the last week, he may not have the quality of the former Arsenal defender but he will have more desire, work rate and determination to succeed, which is more than can be said for Gibbs.
Darren Moore’s side will still have a number of outgoing players before the window shuts, with question marks over the futures of Salomon Rondon, Craig Dawson, Jay Rodriguez, Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli, but Gibbs must be added to that list this summer.