West Bromwich Albion were said to be planning a double-deal to sign Manchester United pair Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
According to the Daily Star, West Bromwich Albion are set to sign Andrea Ranocchia – and that surely makes Tony Pulis’ reported plan to bring in both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling unnecessary.
But Ranocchia’s arrival at the Hawthorns means that competition for defensive places in Tony Pulis’ first-team is already set to step up.
West Brom may now want to add another centre-back, but it is surely a choice between Jones or Smalling now, rather than both.
If the pair were to join then the Baggies’ squad would start to look bloated and, as a result, Ranocchia’s impeding arrival is likely to change Pulis’ transfer plans.
West Brom have money to spend this summer, and Pulis is known to be wanting to upgrade his options.
The Baggies have already brought in Jay Rodriguez from Southampton, and more additions are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
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