‘He’d be a smart signing’ – Exclusive: Phillips reacts as Sky Sports link West Brom with player
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips believes that Lyle Taylor could be a gamble worth taking for West Brom after the Baggies were linked with the Charlton forward.
Sky Sports has reported that Albion are interested in the 30-year-old, who will be available to sign on a free transfer at the end of June.
Taylor has scored 11 goals in 22 Championship appearances this season and has made it public that he will not sign a short-term contract extension at The Valley to see out the campaign.
It means that clubs like West Brom will be able to land Taylor for free in a matter of weeks and Phillips sees it as a cheap deal for the Black Country club with not much risk attached.
“On a free transfer, he’d be a smart signing for a lot of clubs,” Phillips told West Brom News. “Of course, it’s always a slight gamble but you don’t mind taking that gamble if you get someone on a free. You’re not spending a fortune.
“If it doesn’t pay off, you can get someone cheap. Of course, wages will be a bit higher but after what’s gone on, they’re not going to be astronomical, they’re not going to be ridiculous. They’re going to have to come to some common ground.
“Taylor could be a good signing for anyone and if West Brom were to get him, can he step up? If West Brom are in the Premier League, it’s a big jump as we all know but sometimes these gambles pay off.
“If you get him for free and the gamble pays off, even better.”
Why would West Brom need to sign Taylor?
The former AFC Wimbledon striker has impressed at Charlton this term by bagging a goal every other game but he is also in his 30s now and has never played in the Premier League.
Slaven Bilic’s side is likely to be a top-flight one next season and Taylor is less proven in the Premier League than Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin, who are also in their 30s.
If the Baggies are going to sign a new striker in the summer, it needs to be an improvement on what Bilic already has at his disposal and there are just too many question marks surrounding Taylor, even if he is going to be available for free.
In other West Brom news, there’s been an update on Albion’s reported pursuit of this international striker.
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