The wingers joined Crystal Palace and West Ham instead of moving to West Brom.
At the start of the transfer window, West Brom boss Tony Pulis earmarked several key positions in which to strengthen. One was up front – and one was out wide.
The Midlands outfit duly took to the market. According to the Birmingham Mail, they were at one point close to signing Bakary Sako. And the Express and Star then reported West Brom bids for Michail Antonio.
But both ended up elsewhere. Sako joined Crystal Palace and Antonio West Ham United.
How much will the Baggies end up regretting missing out on the duo?
| 2015/16 | Position | Team | Dribbles | Chances Created | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michail Antonio | MF | Forest | 19 | 8 | 360 |
| Jacob Butterfield | MF | Huddersfield | 13 | 10 | 440 |
| Sone Aluko | FW | Hull City | 11 | 6 | 240 |
| Zach Clough | FW | Bolton | 11 | 8 | 387 |
| Kazenga Lua Lua | MF | Brighton | 11 | 7 | 448 |
As Opta stats show, Antonio has already picked up where he left off last season, winning more dribbles than anyone else in the Championship before his move to West Ham was confirmed on Deadline Day, also creating eight chances in four games for Nottingham Forest.
And, if anyone questions a Championship star’s ability to produce in the Premier League, they need only look at Sako, who has already scored for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa and Chelsea – looking superb in the process. Last season, meanwhile, the duo were prolific, netting 29 league goals between them.
West Brom have recruited in the final third, of course, adding Serge Gnabry, James McClean, Salomon Rondon and more. But it may just irk them that two quality wingers in Sako and Antonio ended up at Palace and West Ham after they themselves showed initial interest. It’s just a question of how much they will be forced to rue missing out on them…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
