Alan Irvine watches over £1.5m-rated player wanted by West Brom – reports
West Ham have joined West Brom in the race to sign Wigan left-back Antonee Robinson, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The newspaper claims that Hammers manager David Moyes watched over Robinson, 22, on Saturday as he assisted a goal in Wigan’s 2-2 draw with Charlton.
It is understood that West Ham assistant manager – and former Baggies boss – Alan Irvine was also in attendance to watch over the USA international ahead of a possible summer swoop.
Irvine’s name still sends shudders down the spines of most West Brom fans. He is arguably one of the worst managers to have ever graced The Hawthorns.
We wouldn’t be happy if Irvine and West Ham are also to beat the Baggies in the race to sign Robinson.
Not only is Robinson available for a bargain £1.5million [The Sun] after almost joining AC Milan for £10million in January, but he could be seen as a long-term replacement for Kieran Gibbs in the Albion defence.
Gibbs has had a number of injury issues this season while Conor Townsend’s performances over his two years at West Brom haven’t suggested he’s good enough for the step up to the Premier League.
Robinson is still young at 22 and is clearly someone who is highly rated as Milan tried to sign him in January.
West Ham are unlikely to guarantee as many first-team opportunities as West Brom next season so that is an advantage that Slaven Bilic and Luke Dowling need to make the most of if they enter negotiations for the former Everton left-back.
In other West Brom news, Hal Robson-Kanu has sent a message to this Leeds player after Albion’s loss handed the Whites promotion.
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