View: West Brom mainstay surely set for exit as Bilic confirms defensive plans
West Brom are closing in on the signing of experienced free-agent defender Branislav Ivanovic as they prepare for life in the Premier League.
Slaven Bilic confirmed talks were well underway, with the Serbian set to complete his medical in the coming days at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies boss also shared that he is planning to use the Premier League and Champions League winner in the heart of his defence.
With Cedric Kipre also arriving in this window, Bilic now has five solid options to choose from in the middle of defence.
Ahmed Hegazi, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi could be fighting for two spots in the side and there is a clear loser in the ranks.
Hegazi has been described as the “most-obvious player” to be sold before by reliable journalist Steve Madeley, with the Egyptian not able to nail down his spot in the side.
The 29-year-old only made 16 appearances in the Championship last season, with injuries and suspension coming back to bite him.
The chances of Hegazi featuring are getting slimmer as we get closer to the Premier League, although his performances in his first top-flight campaign may give him hope.
Al-Ittihad have confirmed their interest in Hegazi after they had a bid rejected for the Egyptian back in January, so they are a clear option for the defender.
Hegazi himself has claimed that he is happy to remain at West Brom, and his future hasn’t been discussed with the club’s board as it stands.
Although he is happy, the Baggies may need to ship one of their higher-earning defenders off the wage bill to bring in Ivanovic and it could be Hegazi who bites the bullet.
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