Championship

West Bromwich Albion: Joe Masi discusses Kyle Bartley exit rumours

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Image for West Bromwich Albion: Joe Masi discusses Kyle Bartley exit rumours

West Bromwich Albion journalist Joe Masi has been sharing some details regarding Baggies defender Kyle Bartley and a potential summer transfer away from the club during the current window. 

This comes after Masi co-hosted a recent episode of West Brom-themed podcast Baggies Broadcast, where he spoke about the biggest talking points concerning Valerien Ismael’s side.

After it was recently reported that Bartley is a potential transfer option for Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, Masi had this to say about the situation.

He said: “From what I understand, Albion are determined to keep him, really.

“There is an issue that he’s only got one year left on his deal and at the end of the day, everyone does have a price.

“I mean, if someone comes in and offers silly money for him, then obviously he leaves, the same as anyone else, but from what I gather, Albion are very much expecting Bartley to be at the club next season and he’s firmly part of Ismael’s plans for next season.”

West Brom signed Bartley back in the 2018 summer transfer window from fellow Championship side Swansea City.

Since then, the 30-year-old, who is currently valued at £2.25 million, has made a total of 105 appearances for the Baggies across all competitions in which he has managed to score six goals and provide three assists in the process (per Transfermarkt).

TIF Thoughts on Joe Masi’s comments on Bartley… 

Given how Bartley ended West Brom’s 2020/21 Premier League campaign as their highest-rated defender out of players who made more than one league appearance with an overall rating of 6.77/10 according to WhoScored, as well as making more blocks per game (1.2) and clearances per game (5.3) than any other Baggies player to play in more than one league game, it’s understandable why he supposedly is in Ismael’s plans for the upcoming season.

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In our view, given how useful Bartley proved himself to be in the Premier League for West Brom last season, it’s easy to see him having a similar impact in the team next season in the Championship if he does turn out to be a regular figure in Ismael’s team, so losing him could be a big blow.

However, as Masi mentioned, Bartley’s current contract does expire next summer, so perhaps offering him a new one now would ward off any other potential transfer interest in him.

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