OPINION
Darren Moore could potentially save West Brom owner Guochuan Lai millions of pounds in the January transfer window by attempting to sign right-back Angel Rangel on a free transfer when his deal at QPR expires.
Rangel may be 36-years-old but the Spaniard is in red-hot form at Loftus Road and has been a major reason why the Rs have stormed up the Championship standings since the Baggies beat them 7-1 at The Hawthorns in August.
However Steve McClaren could lose Rangel in January as when he was signed in the summer, the ex-Swansea man only agreed to a short-term deal until January 13 – and that is why West Brom absolutely must sign him up.
Tyrone Mears joined the Baggies on a short-term rolling contract in the summer so he is likely to leave The Hawthorns at the start of 2019, so Moore needs to find himself a new right-back.
He needs someone who will be good enough to help the Black Country club to return to the Premier League, but also be good enough for the top-flight so that he doesn’t need replacing in the summer.
The Daily Record has reported that Rangers right-back James Tavernier is a target for West Brom ahead of January, but he is likely to cost millions and judging by his performances this season, he isn’t defensive enough to play well in the Premier League.
With Rangel, he will be available for free and if the Baggies sign him on a short-term deal for the rest of the season, then Moore will have the chance to buy a Premier League level right-back next year, or if Rangel impresses enough, extend his deal.
Albion will have to move fast though as according to Mirror journalist David Anderson, QPR want to get him to extend his stay in London while Nottingham Forest and Norwich are also interested in him.
QPR face competition from Nottingham Forest, Norwich City, DC United and New York City for Angel Rangel, whose short-term deal at Loftus Road ends in January.
— David Anderson (@MirrorAnderson) November 16, 2018
However with the fact that West Brom are likely to have more money on offer than their Championship rivals and are still considered one of the frontrunners for promotion, luring Rangel to the West Midlands could be a very smooth deal to get done in the winter if Moore wants him.