West Brom want to sign Championship midfielder, contract expires this year – report
Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson has reportedly emerged as a January transfer target for West Brom.
According to the Daily Mail, Pearson is a man in demand with the transfer window now open.
Brentford, Celtic and the Baggies are all reportedly interested in the Championship midfielder.
Pearson has impressed in the Championship in recent years and his performances are not going unnoticed.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and is now being tipped to move on this month.
Gary O’Neil called him the best defensive midfielder in the second tier recently and some added reinforcement in that position would not go amiss for the Baggies.
Speaking about Pearson’s impact on Preston, O’Neil said: “Preston are missing Pearson, probably their most influential player and for me maybe the best No.6 in the Championship and the best defensive midfielder there is at that level.”
Adding some extra bite to Allardyce’s midfield
Pearson is highly rated in the Championship, so it comes as no surprise to see him linked with big moves into the Premier League.
West Brom have looked a little light in the middle of the park in recent games, with Jake Livermore’s red card highlighting a lack of depth at the base of midfield.
Conor Gallagher has done well on loan from Chelsea, but Allardyce should be looking to utilise him as a more creative option.
Meanwhile, Romaine Sawyers has had some games to forget with that own goal against Leeds at the Hawthorns.
West Brom would need Pearson to make the step up to Premier League football straight away and regardless of his qualities, that is a huge task for any player moving up from the Championship.
The Baggies should also be concerned about his recent injury record.
According to Transfermarkt, he has already missed seven games through injury this season and the Baggies need someone they can rely on for the second half of the campaign.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies are readying an offer to sign 51-cap striker after Karlan Grant injury blow
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