West Brom now face competition from Premier League pair Crystal Palace and Watford as the battle to sign Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah heats up, as reported by L’Equipe.
While the Baggies moved quickly to secure the signature of Valerien Ismael’s former Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt, they may soon be rueing their failure to get Chalobah through the door while they had the chance.
Earlier this month, the Express & Star reported the Midlands giants were in talks to sign the England U21 international, who may be allowed to leave Chelsea on a free.
It wasn’t long before Brentford joined the race, however, and now there are two more top-flight names in the frame for a 22-year-old midfielder who shone on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Lorient last term.
With all due respect to West Bromwich Albion, he has better offers on the table these days.
Will Chelsea starlet Chalobah sign for Crystal Palace?
According to L’Equipe, Chalobah is a target for Watford and Crystal Palace.
Blessed with a fine passing range and the ability to play a number of midfield roles, it’s tempting to wonder whether the Stamford Bridge academy graduate has been identified by Watford as a potential Will Hughes replacement.
It’s no secret Hughes is out of contract next summer, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa looking to strike a bargain deal for the £8 million playmaker.
Chalobah also has admirers at Selhurst Park and that too should come as no surprise.
Crystal Palace have already raided Chelsea once this summer for £20 million centre-back Marc Guehi, a man who rose through the ranks in west London alongside Chalobah.
The Sierre Leone-born maestro would tick a lot of boxes for a Palace side looking to inject some youthful exuberance and much-needed competition into Patrick Vieira’s squad, potentially forming a new-look midfield partnership with former Reading wonderkid Michael Olise.
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