West Brom reportedly made an ambitious approach for Sanson in January, only for Marseille to swoop instead.
Despite enjoying the finest Premier League season in their history, West Brom always faced a mammoth challenge attempting to lure Montpellier’s esteemed playmaker Morgan Sanson to The Hawthorns.
The Birmingham Mail report that The Baggies had registered an interest in the creative midfielder, with the Ligue 1 club’s president Louis Nicollin demanding potential suitors cough up a not-unreasonable fee of £13 million.
However, as soon as Marseille made a move, there appeared to be only one realistic destination.
The 1993 Champions League winners may have underperformed badly in recent seasons but, with new American owner Frank McCourt promising to invest hugely to return Marseille to Europe’s top table, who could question Sanson’s desire to play a part in one of the continent’s most ambitious projects?
And, after just over two months at the Stade Velodrome, the 22-year-old has already emerged as a key player. In fact, he has arguably overshadowed marquee signing Dimitri Payet after joining for over half the price.
Since Sanson’s arrival, Marseille have risen from the depths of mid-table, leaving behind the likes of Caen and Metz, to fifth place and just four points adrift of Lyon.
And, in his last six games, Sanson has produced four assists and scored one himself, inspiring his new side to 12 points from a possible 18.
While Tony Pulis’ West Brom look certain to finish in the top half of the Premier League for the first time, the dynamic midfielder is exactly the kind of player the club must sign if their Chinese owners are to put them in contention for European qualification.
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