Joe Ledley has refused to consider dropping down to the Championship – meaning West Brom remains a possible destination.
With the new season up and running already, the fact that Joe Ledley is still without a club is somewhat remarkable. Yet, that does not indicate a lack of interest in a player who left Crystal Palace at the end of last season after his contract expired.
According to the BBC, Ledley has rejected offers from two unnamed Championship clubs, presumably as he feels he can still do a job at the top level.
Considering he was a regular in Palace’s midfield over the last four seasons, and helped Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 last summer, stepping down a division would seem a little premature.
Therefore, promotion hopefuls Aston Villa and Derby County, who The Sun claimed were keen on giving Ledley a good home, appear to have no chance of striking a deal with just two weeks of the transfer window remaining.
However, West Brom’s chances look good. The Mirror reported earlier this month that The Baggies are one of three Premier League sides, along with Stoke City and Brighton, who have identified Ledley as a player capable of beefing up their midfield.
Baggies boss Tony Pulis knows Ledley well, having brought him to Selhurst Park from Celtic in January 2014 during his short spell in charge of Palace.
However, with The Mirror reporting on Tuesday that Everton midfielder Gareth Barry will sign up at The Hawthorns, it is unknown whether West Brom are still interested in offering Ledley a Premier League lifeline.
Jake Livermore and Claudio Yacob started as West Brom edged Bournemouth 1-0 on the opening day of the new season but, with captain Darren Fletcher departing for Stoke City, midfield depth would not go amiss.
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