West Brom manager Valerien Ismael has given his backing to a swoop for Chelsea’s transfer-listed midfielder Trevoh Chalobah, as reported by the Express & Star.
When Ismael was unveiled as Sam Allardyce’s replacement last week, one of the first tasks the 45-year-old faced was to reinforce a midfield that bid farewell to Okay Yokuslu, Conor Gallagher and Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the end of May.
The arrival of Alex Mowatt on a free transfer felt like a big step in the right direction, however.
The former Barnsley captain blossomed into one of the Championship’s most influential players under Ismael at Oakwell, buying into the Frenchman’s uber-octane, gegenpressing approach – with remarkable results.
And, with Chelsea ready to sell, 22-year-old Chalobah could soon form a new-look partnership with Mowatt at the heart of West Bromwich Albion’s engine room.
Is Chalobah heading to West Brom?
According to the Express & Star, Albion have opened talks with the England U21 international.
And Ismael has given his full backing to the pursuit of a player who previously impressed in the Championship during spells at Huddersfield Town and Ipswich.
“He is a very, very, very, very, very good player,” Huddersfield coach Mark Hudson said last year.
“He’s got so much potential. In my opinion, he’ll definitely be a Chelsea player next year!”
Hudson may have been wrong about that – Chalobah still hasn’t made his first-team debut in Chelsea colours – but there’s no reason why the talented midfielder can’t enjoy an excellent career away from Stamford Bridge.
West Brom have also been linked with Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer.
But, while one midfielder looks set to arrive, another will go as the highly rated Tim Iroegbunam closes in on a controversial switch to near neighbours Aston Villa.
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