West Brom are close to defeat in their hunt to sign Crystal Palace right-back Joel Ward, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The newspaper claims on their website that Darren Moore is desperate to sign a right-back after letting Allan Nyom leave on a season-long loan to Leganes, and has tabled multiple bids in the hopes of replacing the Cameroon international.
However it is understood that 6ft 1 (transfermarkt) Palace man Ward is not likely to be heading to The Hawthorns on loan due to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card against Liverpool on Monday opening up a chance for him to fight for his place at Selhurst Park.
OPINION
While Nyom’s form over the last 12 months has been poor, to say the least, surely West Brom should have signed a replacement right-back before letting him leave on loan to Leganes earlier this month. At the moment, Moore does not have a single natural right-back in his side, though he does have Craig Dawson and Tosin Adarabioyo who can play there but are better served as centre-backs. Nyom was useless but surely it is far better to put square pegs in square holes than force players to play outside of their comfort zone. Moore’s 3-4-1-2 formation used against QPR on Saturday was probably forced more than anything with Matt Phillips occupying a right wing-back role. It worked as the Baggies won 7-1, but against tougher sides – like Middlesbrough, who they face on Friday – Moore needs a solid right-back. Ward would have been excellent, but you can understand why Palace need him now Wan-Bissaka is set for a one-game ban.