Report: West Brom defender could leave before 19/20 season ends
Nathan Ferguson could leave West Brom to join Crystal Palace before the current 2019/20 season is concluded, according to The Athletic.
Ferguson, 19, was set to join Palace in the January transfer window after an £11million deal, plus add-ons, was agreed between them and the Baggies.
However the defender’s medical raised a knee issue, which has since been operated on and ended his season prematurely.
The Athletic reports that Palace remain intent on signing the young full-back and when his contract at The Hawthorns expires at the end of June, it is expected that he will head to South London.
West Brom would be owed compensation for Ferguson’s transfer as he is under the age of 24 and a product of their academy. However it is understood a tribunal for that fee might not take place until late 2021.
Due to the coronavirus-enforced suspension of the Championship, there’s a good chance that the season will extend past the point when Ferguson’s £800-a-week contract at West Brom expires.
FIFA are willing to let players whose contracts expire on June 30 to continue playing for their club until the season is concluded and West Brom intend to follow that with all out-of-contract players, but it could change if players want to leave.
It means that Ferguson could leave The Hawthorns before the Baggies’ bid to win promotion from the Championship is over.
And based on the fact the deal could see Albion pocket up to a total of £6million, it seems that letting him go is the best option.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has guessed at when players could return to training.