West Brom would have to pay “huge” wages to sign Houston Dynamo attacker Alberth Elis in order for him to earn a work permit, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
The reporter was asked whether Albion could revisit their interest in Elis, 22, in the summer, but he claimed via his personal Twitter account on Friday that it would be hard for the Honduras international to gain a work permit.
It is understood that Honduras need to be in the top 50 of the FIFA rankings, or West Brom would have to pay a large transfer fee and offer big wages to get the international seal of approval.
Work permit snags difficult. https://t.co/weiORJVsZt
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 1, 2019
Yes. Or fee huge. Or wages huge. Shame. Good player. https://t.co/EGwa5UNQe8
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 1, 2019
OPINION
As Nixon says, it is a shame that West Brom were unable to sign Elis in January because he is one of the most highly-rated players in MLS and would have been a very exciting replacement for Harvey Barnes at The Hawthorns. In 2018, Elis scored 11 goals and supplied 12 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for Houston Dynamo. He can play on the wing or up front and has dazzling pace that would have caused major issues for many defences in the Championship. West Brom could have another go at signing him in the summer, but Honduras would have to improve their FIFA ranking in order for him to get a work permit, because the Baggies are unlikely to pay big money. As of December, the Central American nation is ranked 62nd in the world, so it’s not impossible for them to improve that in 2019. Hondurans like Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figueroa have played in the Premier League in the past, so there is talent in that country.