OPINION
It’s always important to tie down the futures of your best players, and even more so when the player involved is a teenager who could potentially anchor your midfield for the next decade plus.
That’s where West Bromwich Albion find themselves with Rekeen Harper, who is out of contract at the end of the season. The 18-year-old is coming off an excellent performance against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and Baggies boss Darren Moore told the Express & Star after the game that he is confident the youngster will sign an extension.
“We’ve been talking. Rekeem Harper’s future is here at West Brom, we know Rekeem inside out. I’ve worked with Rekeem since he was U12, so the place for him to fulfil his potential is here at the football club.
“We are going to have more talks with him, settle him and his advisors down, because I’m under no doubt that this is the place for Rekeem Harper to develop and become a fully-fledged first team player,” he finished.
Those are encouraging words from Moore, and now the club needs to back them up and deliver a fresh contract for the teenager.
We saw on Saturday just how good Harper is, and how much potential he has. Furthermore, he plays in a position where West Brom aren’t exactly young.
Gareth Barry, Chris Brunt and James Morrison are all in their thirties, while Jake Livermore is 29. There is a definite need for fresh blood in the middle of the park at the Hawthorns.
Now, no one’s saying that Harper needs to be starting week in week out from now onwards, but the rookie could certainly command a place in the Baggies midfield within a season or so.
For that to happen, of course, he needs to remain at the club, and that is the big worry here. For all Moore’s confidence, it’s never a good sign to have someone as talented as Harper in the final few months of his contract.
Hopefully the club can prove the manager’s optimism correct and get a new deal over the line, because on Saturday’s evidence they’re risking losing a top young talent.