West Bromwich Albion journalist Steve Madeley has shared an update on the Baggies’ plans for the upcoming summer transfer window.
This comes after Madeley recently made an appearance on The Totally Football League Show to talk about the West Midlands club after they secured promotion to the Premier League following their 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers in midweek.
On the topic of what changes could be made at the club in the upcoming transfer window, Madeley shared his thoughts on the matter.
He said: “There will need to be some changes, without a doubt. The loan players, as it stands – certainly Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson – I think that the intention at the moment is for those two players to return to West Ham and Sheffield United respectively, although that can obviously change over the coming weeks.
“There won’t be major surgery on the squad because the funds just won’t be there to conduct major surgery. They’ve already committed to signing Matheus Pereira for just over £8 million, which looks like a real steal given the way he’s done in the Championship, I wouldn’t be surprised if Filip Krovinovic also follows him and signs a permanent deal.
“They’re going to have to replace Chris Brunt, who’s leaving, they’re going to have to replace Gareth Barry, who’s almost certain to leave as well. In an ideal world, if money was no object, they’d probably be looking to really transform the squad and bring in six, seven, eight new players, but I don’t see that happening with the budget that they’re going to have and in a way, those players have earned the right to have a go at the Premier League and also, they’ve formed a real kind of togetherness, which hopefully will take them a long way. So I think, in reality, you’re probably looking at a small number of quality additions rather than major surgery to the squad.”
West Brom finished their season in the Championship in second place on 83 points having won 22, drawn 17 and lost seven league matches along the way (per BBC Sport).
This season saw West Brom splash out a total of £18.63 million on players such as Kenneth Zohore, Charlie Austin, Romaine Sawyers, Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi and Kamil Grosicki.
As Madeley mentioned in the podcast, the Baggies have already agreed on a deal to sign Pereira on a permanent basis.
Pereira had been West Brom’s star performer this season having earned himself a season rating of 7.41/10 from his 44 Championship appearances during the 2019/20 campaign (per WhoScored).
How many incoming transfers do West Brom need to make this summer?
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TIF Thoughts…
It appears from what Madeley has said that West Brom will be looking to make some changes to their squad in preparation for their Premier League campaign next season and hope they will be able to survive in the top-flight by the end of it.