Kiril Despodov will not be the first signing of the Valerien Ismael era at West Bromwich Albion with Bulgarian champions Ludogorets completing a deal for the former Serie A forward, via DC News.
While the Albion appear to be making some long-awaited progress in their pursuit of a new manager – 45-year-old Ismael has agreed to swap Barnsley for the Baggies after weeks of speculation – that is only half the battle.
Since dropping out of the Premier League in May, West Brom have lost Kieran Gibbs, Charlie Austin, Hal Robson-Kanu, Branislav Ivanovic and Kamil Grosicki, as well as loanees Okay Yokuslu, Mbaye Diagne and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Star duo Matheus Pereira and Sam Johnstone will surely go too before August 31.
Who will Valerian Ismael sign for West Brom?
Ismael faces one hell of a rebuild then as he prepares for life at his new club.
Turning Barnsley into shock play-off contenders is one thing, securing automatic promotion with an expectant West Brom side – one suffering from a leadership vacuum at the top and hemorrhaging players week after week – is another challenge altogether.
The Telegraph reported that Despodov, a fast and versatile attacker, was one of the top targets for a West Brom side in transition.
But, after helping fire Ludogorets to domestic glory with six goals and 13 assists during an impressive loan spell, Despodov has returned to his homeland to join the league champions on a permanent deal worth £1.5 million.
“I am happy that this transfer is now official. I can’t wait to join the team,” Despodov, the Bulgaria international, admitted.
West Brom have also been linked with Coventry City dynamo Gustavo Hamer, while Dwight Gayle was tipped to make a return to The Hawthorns too, although he appeared to be a target of jilted managerial candidate Chris Wilder.
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