OPINION
It has not been a good day for Baggies.
The West Brom faithful have been left deeply disappointed after Leicester City exercised the recall option in Harvey Barnes’ season-long loan to rob the Championship side of one of their outstanding 2018-19 performers.
Leeds United can compound the misery for their promotion rivals by signing number two goalkeeper Jonathan Bond this month.
Bond is highly rated by West Brom but has made just one appearance for the club, in the 1-0 FA Cup win against Wigan Athletic last weekend, since signing from Reading on a free transfer last summer.
With Sam Johnstone the established number one and veteran Boaz Myhill his deputy, Bond has spent most of the campaign on the sidelines patiently waiting for his chance.
He got that last weekend but is set to drop back down the pecking order for the resumption of the Championship programme and must be getting itchy feet at his second-string role.
The former Watford and Peterborough keeper is just what Leeds are looking for as they aim to fill the void left by the November exit of loanee Jamal Blackman following his broken leg.
Bond is more experienced than Bailey Peacock-Farrell and has the class and skill-set to provide instant first-team competition, and slot straight into Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
The 25-year-old also cuts a commanding presence with his imposing 6ft 4in frame (Soccerbase).
West Brom would be loathe to lose Bond, especially as they rate him highly and regard him as capable of pushing Johnstone in the future.
However, his desire for regular football leaves the door open for Leeds to make a push to solve their January goalkeeper problem.