Portuguese newspaper shares update on West Brom bid to sign Filip Krovinovic permanently
West Brom are yet to submit an offer to sign Filip Krovinovic on a permanent basis from Benfica, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.
Krovinovic, 24, spent the season on loan at The Hawthorns, appearing 40 Championship appearances, scoring three goals and supplying four assists.
The Croatian playmaker played a big role in Albion’s promotion to the Premier League, which was sealed on Wednesday and meant the club paid an extra £180,000 to Benfica as part of the loan agreement, taking the overall loan fee to £910,000.
West Brom are now said to be seeking a permanent deal for Krovinovic with Benfica aware of their interest and it is unlikely he will play for the Portuguese giants again.
According to a recent report by the Telegraph, Krovinovic could be available for around £6million – an affordable fee for the newly-promoted Baggies who are likely to have over £20million to spend this summer.
Kevin Phillips told West Brom News earlier this season that he’s seen enough of Krovinovic in the Championship to suggest he will take to the Premier League like a duck to water.
Speaking in March, Phillips said: “Can they step up to the Premier League? I think all three of those players [Krovinovic, Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana] could do a job in the Premier League, definitely.
“I watched him last week [against Newcastle] and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
“But certainly if they get to the Premier League, he looks like he’s got the quality to make that jump.”
Krovinovic’s ability to pick out a pass, work the ball in tight spaces and play a key role in the attack are some of the reasons why he should be a stand-out player for West Brom next season.
Slaven Bilic took his time to get the best out of Krovinovic but, as Phillips said, he performed well against Newcastle in the FA Cup which shows he has what it takes to perform against Premier League opposition.
In other West Brom news, in an exclusive story by this site, the Baggies have opened talks over a new contract for this attacker.
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