Sunderland are reportedly set to sell the Dutchman to Crystal Palace – could West Bromwich Albion pounce?
For months, left-back Jeffrey Schlupp was a West Bromwich Albion target – until Crystal Palace snared the former Leicester City man in a £12 million deal a couple of weeks back.
But now, with Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt seemingly on the verge of his own move to Selhurst Park, should the Baggies turn the tables and look to pinch the Dutchman?
Many would argue Van Aanholt, who scored against Tony Pulis’ team earlier this season, is the better of the two anyway, while Pulis is thought to be keen on others in the 26-year-old’s position – including Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor.
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt scores against the Baggies
According to reports, the presence of former Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce – now at the Palace helm of course – is the main draw for Van Aanholt.
But even with Big Sam’s record (he’s yet to be relegated as a Premier League boss), leaving the division’s bottom club for one only a point and two places better off would represent a sizeable risk for the player. Is a move to eighth-place West Brom not a far safer shout, regardless of who’s in charge?
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce
With Sunderland expected to be offered around £10 million for Van Aanholt (Express), the Baggies would hardly need to break the bank.
Although, with Taylor out of contract in the summer (albeit not available for free due to his age), Pulis’s failure to rival Palace may be the biggest hint yet of his long-term transfer plan.
Should West Bromwich Albion try to sign Sunderland’s Patrick Van Aanholt this month?
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