According to the Daily Mail, West Bromwich Albion are looking to rival Celtic for the signing of Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson.
It’s claimed that Brentford have joined the race to sign Pearson as they plot an ambitious move to sign the midfielder this month.
Celtic are pushing to land Pearson too, but Sam Allardyce is now keen to lure him to The Hawthorns in what could be a cut-price move.
Pearson is out of contract at the end of the season, and Preston may be forced to sell this month before he leaving for nothing.
The 26-year-old can sign a pre-contract agreement to sign for Celtic, but any English clubs wanting to land him will have to pay up this month or hope he is free in the summer.
Pearson is a tenacious holding midfielder with great control of the game, and having been one of the Championship’s top midfielders over the last five years, he deserves a Premier League move.
West Brom need a holding midfielder to bolster Allardyce’s squad, and Pearson – formerly of Manchester United – certainly fits the bill, especially given his contract situation.
Beating Celtic to Pearson’s signature won’t be easy, but Allardyce may hope to raid his former club in a cost-friendly move this month.
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