Championship outfit West Brom reportedly wanted to sign Sunderland flop Jeremain Lens this summer but he’s starring in Turkey for Besiktas.
Jermain Lens’ toxic spell at Sunderland finally came to an end in June.
After spending time on loan at Turkish giants Besiktas, he moved to Instanbul on a permanent basis in a deal that was agreed back in February. Sunderland recouped just half of the £12 million they paid Dinamo Kiev in the summer of 2015 (Sunderland Echo) but the fact that this was seen as good business rather reflects how much had gone wrong during Lens’ time contracted to the Black Cats.
They were a Premier League club when he arrived. When he left, they were preparing for life in League One.
Though while the Dutch international flopped badly on Wearside, falling out of favour under Sam Allardyce almost as soon as the Dudley tactician replaced Dick Advocaat, Lens has got his career back on track impressively in Turkey.
And West Bromwich Albion might be wondering what might have been. Takvim claimed that they were preparing a formal bid in June but a move to the Hawthorns never materialised.
And, since then, Lens has embarked on some of the most impressive form of his career. As reported by The Chronicle, he has already produced five assists in six games this season for Besiktas, helping the 2017 Super Lig champions qualify for the Europa League group stages.
Fortunately for West Brom, however, they are the top scoring team in the Championship right now with 15 goals to their name. Leicester City loanee Harvey Barnes has provided speed and creativity while Matt Phillips is getting back to his best after a lean spell in the Premier League.
Lens, however, would have given the Baggies that extra attacking spark.
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