West Brom must step up Alan Hutton pursuit with Villa stay unlikely

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West Bromwich Albion were linked with a move for Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton back in April.

According to a report from The Telegraph this week, Aston Villa will be unable to keep Alan Hutton next season following their inability to secure promotion out of the Championship.

Hutton’s contract expires this summer, and the Sunday Mirror reported in April (15/04; page 61) that West Brom were considering a move for the 33-year-old as they braced themselves for life in the second tier.

Darren Moore’s men were ultimately relegated and they must now prepare for a number of their key players to attract attention from elsewhere while also looking at potential replacements for those squad members that are likely to move on.

It would be little surprise if two of the key men who attract attention from elsewhere are Kieran Gibbs and Craig Dawson, and that should tempt West Brom to act swiftly amid the latest report that Villa simply cannot afford to offer Hutton fresh terms at Villa Park.

Hutton is reaching the twilight of his career, but he arguably enjoyed one of his best seasons since joining the Villans and played a key role in helping the club reach the play-off final – putting in a particularly exceptional display when facing Adama Traore in the semi-final clash with Middlesbrough.

And given that he would be available on a free transfer and probably arrive with the determination to earn one more chance in the top flight, he could be an incredibly shrewd signing for the Baggies should they lose some of their key full-backs over the coming weeks.

But given the latest reports on Hutton’s situation, West Brom should not hesitate to act quickly before any potential rivals could potentially scupper their hopes.