Exclusive: Key development in West Brom hunt to sign English left-back
Brentford have opened talks with Rico Henry over a new contract to fend off interest from West Brom, West Brom News can reveal.
Birmingham-born Henry, 23, played a key role in Brentford reaching the Championship play-off final last season before Thomas Frank’s side lost to Fulham at Wembley.
Henry’s performances for the West London club have led to increased interest from a number of clubs, including West Brom.
A recruitment source has told West Brom News that Brentford are aiming to pour cold water on the mounting interest in their left-back by getting the former Walsall ace to sign a new contract.
Henry still has three years left on his existing deal at Brentford but the London club is eager to make an emphatic statement on his future.
West Brom are ready to sell Kieran Gibbs this summer after an injury-plagued season saw the former Arsenal left-back earn just 15 appearances in all competitions [Telegraph].
Nathan Ferguson also exited The Hawthorns at the end of June and has since joined Crystal Palace, meaning that Conor Townsend could end up as the only left-back in Slaven Bilic’s squad.
Townsend is untested in the Premier League and has earned mixed reviews for his performances for the Baggies over the last two seasons in the Championship.
Although Henry also lacks Premier League experience, the Brentford player is widely seen as one of the most talented English left-backs outside of the top-flight.
Speaking to West London Sport earlier this month, Frank said: “Rico is one of our most talented players.
“We all know how difficult it is to find good left-footed full-backs and wing-backs and he’s one of the most talented in the division. So we definitely want to keep him longer term.”
In other West Brom news, the club is reportedly in advanced talks to sign this centre-back.
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