Jean-Claude Billong has completed a move to Turkey after being linked with a move to Premier League clubs West Ham United, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, according to Hatayspor’s official website.
While it’s too soon to make assumptions less than a fortnight into a new season, it’s fair to say West Brom need to improve at the back if they want to escape the ‘boing boing Baggies’ moniker.
Slaven Bilic’s side have lost their first two games since promotion, conceding eight goals in damaging defeats to Leicester City and Everton.
But if West Brom hoped Billong would be the solution to their defensive deficiencies, they will be disappointed to learn the 6ft 4in Frenchman has signed a two-year contract in Turkey instead.
Billong has swapped Serie B outfit Salernitana for a Hatayspor side who won promotion to the Super Lig for the first time in their history last term.
TEAMtalk adds that Norwich City and Watford were also interested in Billong.
It’s no secret West Ham have made a centre-half their top priority but they are no closer to signing Burnley’s James Tarkowski after seeing a third bid worth £31 million rejected (Sky).
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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