‘There’s been enquiries’ – PL manager delivers transfer update on top West Brom target
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed interest in West Brom target Hamza Choudhury but says there are no plans to ship him out imminently.
Choudhury is understood to be Albion’s first choice signing [Express & Star] to bolster their midfield with the 23-year-old also keen on the move.
However, a recent injury to fellow Leicester midielder Dennis Praet has cast some doubt over the Foxes willingness to let Choudhury leave with the Belgian set to be out for around three months with a hamstring issue.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rodgers did confirm there has been interest in the midfielder but appeared to rule out an imminent move before their squad can be fully assessed, saying: “We are not in a rush to move Hamza out.
“We respect that we’ve got some players that will be a bit further away from playing and may want to get some game time which I get that, and I understand that and that’s something that because of how the guys are every day I want to support and help that as well.
“But I also have to look after the squad and make sure we have the right bodies here to do the job and finish what will be a busy second part to the season for us.
“So yeah, there’s been enquiries for Hamza but like I say we’re not in any big rush at the moment until we see where the squad is going to be at.”
Clock is ticking
While Rodgers stopped short of ruling out a move, and did appear to be sympathetic to the needs of his wantaway stars, the news will still act as a big blow to Baggies boss Sam Allardyce who will be desperate to bring players in as soon as possible to bring them up to speed with his methods.
For Choudhury as well, staying longer at Leicester could prove detrimental to his fitness which might affect how quickly he can bed in at The Hawthorns, should a deal finally be agreed.
The midfielder has played only one of the last seven matches and has not completed a full 90 minutes since a 1-0 defeat to Ukranian side Zorya on December 3.
This will be a concern for Big Sam with a number of vital fixtures on the horizon.
After the BCD at Wolves on Saturday Albion face two tough games against West Ham and Manchester City before monumental clashes with relegation battlers Fulham and Sheffield United.
Those last two games are must-wins and Allardyce will be hoping that Choudhury, or whichever midfielder comes through the door, will be up to speed and ready to go to secure some absolutely crucial points in their battle to survive in the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, Mark Lawrenson makes his BCD prediction ahead of Saturday’s vital clash.
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