West Brom could demonstrate their ambitions by signing Sampdoria centre-back Milan Skriniar – but Swansea City-linked Maec Roberts is a safer option.
On the face of it, you wonder why Tony Pulis would be so desperate to shore up his defence. Eighth placed West Brom are enjoying their finest ever Premier League campaign while Johnny Evans and, in particular, Gareth McAuley are as sturdy as ever.
Yet, it must be remembered that seven-goal centre-back McAuley is not getting any younger at the age of 37. Therefore, reports in the Daily Mail that Pulis travelled all the way to Genoa to watch centre-back Milan Skriniar help Sampdoria to a dramatic Derby Della Lanterna victory appear to make sense.
Rangy and tall yet comfortable in possession, the 22-year-old, who wears number 37 as an homage to fellow Slovakian Martin Skrtel, only arrived at Samp a year ago from Zilina and has slowly developed into one of Serie A’s most impressive young defenders.
And signing Skriniar, who Calciomercato claim is also on the radar of Champions League quarter-finalists Bayern Munich and Dortmund, would certainly represent an impressive coup for The Baggies.
As reported approaches for the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Manolo Gabbiadini and William Carvalho attest, West Brom are looking to make a statement of intent in the transfer market.
However, the 22-year-old is likely to be expensive and remains an unknown quantity. Instead, perhaps West Brom should maintain their interest in Barnsley defender Marc Roberts who, according to the Yorkshire Post, is also on Swansea City’s radar.
You can see why The Swans would be interested. They have the worst defensive record in the Premier League though they would be in a much more precarious position without Alfie Mawson, who arrived from Oakwell last season. Repeating the deal with another Barnsley centre-back, one of the best in the league, would make sense.
Roberts has certainly proved that he has the potential to follow his former team-mate to the Premier League. And perhaps this is enough to convince West Brom to go with the safer option.
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