We catch up with the players linked to West Bromwich Albion last year.
West Bromwich Albion’s season is over which means a fresh wave of transfer rumours are on their way. So get ready for seemingly inevitable Albion cycle of expectation, hope and – ultimately – disappointment.
With this in mind, it feels like an appropriate time to reflect on last year’s summer speculation and find out what happened to those players linked to the Baggies.
Defenders
West Brom supporters will be hoping they finally sign a natural left-back this summer. If there was any truth to the rumour mill, Albion were interested in bringing in Schalke defender Sead Kolasinac last year, according to the Express and Star. Following another impressive campaign in the Bundesliga, Kolasinac has agreed to join Arsenal next season.
Likewise, left-back Jeffrey Schlupp has switched clubs after interest – reported by the Telegraph – from the Baggies failed to materialise. Schlupp joined Crystal Palace in January and went on to play 16 games for Sam Allardyce’s side.
Championship centre-backs Timm Klose (according to 4-4-2) and Lewis Dunk (according to The Mirror) were also said to be on Pulis’ wish-list.
Dunk will be playing in the Premier League next season following promotion with Brighton and Hove Albion. Klose, on the other hand, featured 32 times for Norwich City as they finished their disappointing campaign in 8th place.
Midfielders
As long-time midfield target Matt Phillips finally signed on the dotted lines, the Express and Star reported that the Baggies were taking a look at Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend. The winger ended up moving to Crystal Palace, where he picked up six assists and three goals in 36 games. This included a stunning goal in Palace’s 2-0 win at the Hawthorns.
Before Albion secured the services of Jake Livermore in January, they were linked with high-profile deals for Ignacio Camacho (as reported by The Daily Star) and William Carvalho (as reported by The Mirror).
Both midfielders stayed put and have received plenty of plaudits for their performances. Camacho captained Malaga to a mid-table finish in La Liga, while Carvalho played 32 times for 3rd place Portuguese side Sporting CP.
Forwards
West Brom were linked with big money moves for forwards Christian Benteke (via The Guardian), Islam Slimani (via The Sun) and Borja Baston (via The Daily Mail). A deal for any of these strikers would have smashed the club’s transfer record and provided much needed depth in the final third.
All three forwards got club-record summer moves but only Benteke’s, so far, can be considered a success. The Belgian joined Crystal Palace and bagged 15 league goals to help lead the Eagles to safety.
Slimani signed for champions Leicester City looking to strike up a partnership with Jamie Vardy. He netted seven times for the Foxes, including the equaliser against the Baggies in November, but failed to nail down a starting place.
With one league goal to show for, Baston’s ill-fated spell with Swansea City could be over this summer. It seems Albion were lucky to miss out on the Spaniard – if they were ever in for him.
Similarly, West Ham United’s Diafra Sakho appears to be another dodged bullet. The Senegalese forward, who was set to join to West Brom according to The Telegraph, only featured four times for the Hammers this season.
West Brom also had talks to bring in Jay Rodriguez, according to Sky Sports. He went on to score five goals in 24 appearances for Claude Puel’s Southampton.
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