West Brom are ready to sign free agents Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin but will make a final decision on whether to do so “in the next seven days”, it has been confirmed.
Manager Darren Moore revealed at his media conference at lunchtime on Thursday, as quoted by Express and Star journalist Matt Wilson, that the Championship club are weighing up whether to take on the experienced pair.
Been to see Darren Moore this morning. He says #wba will make a decision over free agents Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin “in the next seven days.”
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) September 13, 2018
This comes after widespread reports led by reliable site Football Insider that centre-back Russell Martin and attacking midfielder Wes Hoolahan have undergone trials at West Brom over the international break.
OPINION
Moore has certainly had the time to have a good look at Martin and Hoolahan over the international break after they severed their ties with Norwich City last month. The manager and the Baggies hierarchy must decide whether the experience and proven Championship calibre of the pair is enough to compensate for their ageing legs and the cost of bringing them on board. West Brom have already signed eight players in the summer window and the arrivals of the pair would take that number up to 10. Hoolahan is 36 and was in and out of the Norwich team last season, while Martin is 32 and had been demoted to the Under-23s before agreeing to terminate his Norwich contract a year early. Have the Canaries pushed the pair out too early? Or do they still have plenty to offer at a level where they have delivered the goods for many years.