West Brom are closing in on the signing of former Norwich attacker Wes Hoolahan, and fans are in two minds about the deal.
Football Insider reported that West Brom have taken the 36-year-old attacking midfielder on trial, where manager Darren Moore will evaluate him and possibly offer him a short-term deal.
The report claims that he wants attacking reinforcements after missing out on Blackburn Rovers’ Bradley Dack.
Hoolahan is available to sign outside of the transfer window as a free gent after leaving Norwich in the summer, but West Brom fans are wary of his age.
Here are the best reactions from West Brom fans:
Hoolahan being linked. Not sure picking up all of these ageing free agents is ideal but you’d think with the form Barnes is in at the minute he would only be cover
— Ashley Burtoft (@AshBurty) September 5, 2018
Oh good. Some younger legs in an already ageing midfield ?
— chris parkes (@parksey1972) September 5, 2018
Wes Hoolahan was a decent footballer 8 years ago tbf #WBA
— DOOD (@EyaWeGew) September 5, 2018
Irish Messi cannot be ignored
— Luke Norris (@LukePNorris) September 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/KJG180/status/1037292486014763008
With the form Harvey Barnes is in and Morrison coming back from long term injury he will only be back up as we need players we’ve only got 23 pro players or something daft like that
— Callum (@Cal102030) September 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheVan/status/1037301630402801666
OPINION
Hoolahan comes with absolutely bags of experience, with 43 caps for Ireland and a massive 351 appearances for Norwich. In those games for West Brom’s Championship rivals he scored 54 goals and added 78 assists. It’s a fantastic record but many West Brom fans aren’t questioning his credentials, but his age. At 36 his best years are long gone and you’d have to think that if he’s not good enough for Norwich, why would he be good enough for West Brom? If he was going to sit on the bench you’d think he’d do that at Carrow Road where he’s spent the last ten years and is loved by fans. However, he’s not been given a short-term contract yet by West Brom – he’s got to prove himself on trial. And, if he can convince Darren Moore that he’s still got a season left in him, then he might well provide decent cover. It still seems like an odd move though.