West Brom player set for loan-to-buy exit despite what Bilic said – report
Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Madina are reporting that West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi will join Saudi club Al-Ittihad on a loan-to-buy basis.
Reports emerged earlier this week that said the Egyptian was a target for some Saudi Pro League clubs which led to Slaven Bilic saying that Hegazi would not be allowed to leave the Hawthorns.
But this new report suggests there is a “full agreement” between West Brom and Al-Itthad over a deal for Hegazi.
The report says that Hegazi will move on a one-year loan deal and there will be an option to make the move permanent.
This is a bizarre development after Bilic’s comments through the week. The Baggies boss made it very clear that Hegazi wouldn’t be leaving, which is why it is hard to take this report seriously.
It makes absolutely no sense for West Brom to let Hegazi go. He has just returned from injury and helped Albion to their first clean sheet of the season in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Burnley.
The only reason you could potentially understand for Albion letting Hegazi go would be to raise transfer funds, but if the move is going to be an initial loan deal then that aspect doesn’t add up.
It will be interesting to see how this story develops and to see if Hegazi does remain at the Hawthorns. But it would be very surprising to see him leave as Albion wouldn’t be able to sign a replacement.
In other West Brom news, Kamil Grosicki has posted a one-word tweet that has hinted at a development in his ongoing transfer saga.