Ivan Balliu honed his trade at La Liga giants Barcelona but could he now replace Allan Nyom at West Bromwich Albion?
West Bromwich Albion want to replace the departing Allan Nyom with free agent and former Barcelona defender Ivan Balliu, according to AS.
The Hawthorns has been a hub of activity this week. According to the Sun (18 July, page 55), Kenneth Zohore and Semi Ajayi could be set to arrive from Cardiff City and Rotherham United for a combined £10.5 million and now an Albanian international defender has been linked with a move to the Midlands.
Balliu is without a club after refusing to extend his contract at Ligue 1 outfit Metz and a right-back who spent seven years in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy between 2004 and 2011 could be heading to England for the first time in his career.
AS claims that West Brom want Balliu to replace the Nyom, a £3 million Tony Pulis signing from the summer of 2016 (Express and Star), who is in talks to sign for high-flying Getafe.
Real Valladolid, Espanyol and Leganes are also interested in Balliu but he’d be ideal for a West Brom side who have already lost Craig Dawson, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mason Holgate during a difficult summer.
The 27-year-old can also play at left-back.
And with West Brom paying bid to bring in Zohore and Ajayi, Balliu’s free agent status means the Baggies can use their remaining funds to focus to bring in a new centre-back or perhaps another striker.
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