OPINION
West Brom must try and re-sign defender Ashley Williams this summer with Everton reportedly willing to cash in on the Wales international.
The Daily Mail has reported that Stoke are in the hunt to sign Williams, 33, before the transfer window slams shut next week and negotiations are taking place that could see the Toffees pay a portion of the centre-back’s £65,000-a-week wages if he was to head to Staffordshire.
It is understood that the Premier League club are willing to sell Williams, who is in the final year of his contract, as manager Marco Silva prefers the other centre-back options at Goodison Park.
And that is ideal for West Brom as Darren Moore may find himself in dire need of additional centre-backs before the end of the transfer window.
Albion currently have Craig Dawson, Ahmed Hegazi and new signing Kyle Bartley as their only three centre-back options.
Sky Sports has previously reported that Dawson has handed in a transfer request in an effort to quit The Hawthorns this summer amid rejected bids from West Ham and Burnley while ESPN claims that Hegazi has a £10million release clause and is wanted by a number of top-flight clubs.
Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley have already left the Baggies too, so there is certainly the need for reinforcements at centre-back.
West Brom should definitely look to sign Williams if one or both of Dawson and Hegazi leave.
The former Swansea defender, who left West Brom’s academy at the age of 16, has bags of experience that can prove critical in Albion’s effort to return to the Premier League.
Plus, if Everton are willing to pay some of his wages, the deal could be a good one in terms of finances.
West Brom still have plenty of work to do before deadline day next week, and signing Williams should be a priority.