West Brom in hunt to sign French defender valued £14m – reliable journalist
West Brom are in pursuit of young Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan, according to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons.
The reporter wrote on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday that Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Monaco are also interested in the French 20-year-old, who can play as a centre-back or right-back.
It is understood that Simakan is expected to cost around £14million for whichever club signs him this summer after bursting onto the scene in Ligue 1 last season.
Simakan was handed his senior debut last July when he played against Maccabi Haifa in the Europa League and ended the 2019/20 campaign with 25 appearances in all competitions.
He is clearly a sought-after young player with RMC Sport reporting back in April that Tottenham, Everton, Southampton, RB Leipzig, Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund have also shown an interest in him.
Based on the clubs interested in him, it would be some coup if West Brom were to sign Simakan this summer.
One of Simakan’s best performances for Strasbourg last season came when he played as a right-sided centre-back in a 2-1 defeat to Lyon.
Although the game ended in disappointment, Simakan could hold his head up high after such a strong display against one of Ligue 1’s top sides.
Stats by WyScout show that he completed a huge 23 recoveries in that match, made five clearances and four interceptions while also winning 71 per cent of aerial duels.
He deserved to be on the winning side that day and as West Brom are going to face some big challenges back in the Premier League next term, a young defender who shows no fear to top sides could be a very good addition.
In other West Brom news, Daryl Burgess has urged the club to sign this 32-year-old striker.
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