Another left-back target bypasses West Brom in Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs as problems at the back are highlighted.
There is less than two weeks until West Bromwich Albion kick off their 2017/18 Premier League campaign with a home clash against Bournemouth on August 12.
Yet a quick glance at their squad will show that they only have five first team defenders at their disposal and no recognised left-back.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Chris Brunt in action during the Premier League Asia Trophy.
Chris Brunt can admittedly play in the role, but the pursuit of Charlie Taylor and more recently Kieran Gibbs, shows that manager Tony Pulis wants more of a specialist in the role.
Yet Taylor has since joined Burnley from Leeds United and Sky Sports reports that Watford are now the favourites to sign Gibbs from Arsenal, after Pulis admitted the Baggies were out of the race.
“We won’t be signing Kieran Gibbs,” the Welshman was quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“We have to look for players that fit what we want to do and the way we want to play.
“We have three or four other targets we are desperate for. We are juggling with two at the moment and that’s not Gibbs.”
Keiran Gibbs of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match against Manchester United.
So far this summer the arrival of Ahmed Hagazy on loan from Al Ahly is the only new addition at the back and although reported interest from Leicester City in Jonny Evans appears to have been halted in its tracks, options are still limited.
While Pulis says there are targets on West Brom’s radar, the 59-year-old is rapidly running out of time to bring them to the club and get them bedded in before the Cherries visit the Hawthorns and there must be serious concerns about the lack of squad depth.
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