Rangers target Tyler Roberts is out of contract this summer and Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion are under pressure to agree a deal.
The new manager bounce that West Brom were hoping for when they hired Alan Pardew to replace Tony Pulis simply hasn’t materialised. The Baggies have not won any of their five games under the 56-year-old – but it’s arguably an even bigger worry that they have scored just twice in that time.
In total, West Brom have hit the net only 14 times in the Premier League this season – the lowest in the top flight apart from bottom-of-the-table Swansea City.
So while teenager Tyler Roberts is hardly the solution right now, it would not exactly send out the right message if West Brom were to lose one of the most promising young strikers in English football on a free transfer.
18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and, according to The Express and Star, West Brom are determined to tie him down to a long-term deal. Negations have taken place but, as it stands, no agreement has been forthcoming.
And Roberts’ potential availability has attracted plenty of suitors with Rangers the most recent to be linked with a move for the Welshman, whose five goals on loan at Walsall makes him the Football League’s most prolific teenager, as reported by the Scottish Sun.
Due to a loophole in regulations, Scottish teams can sign out-of-contract, England-based youngsters for a reduced compensation fee. This is how Celtic managed to get away with paying Fulham just £500,000 for Moussa Dembele in 2016, per Get West London.
But with goals in short supply at The Hawthorns right now, West Brom must do everything in their power to keep Roberts at the club.
He may be a star for the future rather than the present but, in their current predicament, Baggies fans need something to look forward to.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
