Exclusive: Phillips delivers verdict as West Brom reportedly hold talks to sign ‘Top 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 does not believe that West Brom will sign Eberechi Eze from QPR this summer despite talks reportedly being held between the two clubs.
According to The Guardian, the Baggies held “informal talks” with QPR last week as they stepped up their efforts to sign the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.
However, ex-Baggies striker Phillips is unconvinced that Eze is someone who Slaven Bilic will pursue too seriously.
QPR did want £20million for the London-born ace but they’ve since dropped their valuation to £16million after Crystal Palace reportedly opened the bidding for him at around £12million plus add-ons.
Phillips can see why QPR would demand £20million for Eze but says re-signing this season’s loan stars on permanent deals should be West Brom’s priority.
“In my opinion, that won’t be a player they’ll look at,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“They’ve probably got other options and will try to keep the players they had on loan permanently.
“For £20million, he’s shown he’s a top player. At times, for me, he overdoes it a little bit but the more he plays, the more experience he’ll get and he’ll develop into a good player.”
Eze has proven that he’s a great young attacker in the Championship.
He scored 14 goals and supplied eight assists in 46 appearances for QPR this season, which suggests that he’s more than worthy of stepping up into the Premier League.
West Brom have Matheus Pereira all but signed permanently who can play in the No 10 role behind a striker, with is Eze’s best position but the QPR ace can also play on the left-wing.
As it stands, Albion have a shortage in that area unless loan stars Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson are welcomed back to The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, Albion want to sign this £18million-rated English striker.
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