Nick Ware

Fri 22 January 2021 13:19, UK

Filip Krovinovic is set to join Nottingham Forest on loan after his unsuccessful second spell at West Brom was cut short by parent club Benfica.

That is according to the Daily Telegraph’s Midlands reporter John Percy who previously reported on the Croatian’s expected departure from The Hawthorns in January.

Chris Hughton’s side are currently in the midst of an injury crisis after Ryan Yates hobbled off against Middlesbrough with the likes of Jack Colback and Harry Arter also still on the sidelines [Nottingham Post].

Percy revealed that Forest expect to confirm Krovinovic’s arrival later on Friday after the completion of his medical with Benfica keen to see him move there ahead of Croatian side Hadjuk Split, in order to increase his market value.

While he was a peripheral figure during Sam Allardyce’s short tenure thus far this deal is of some significance for him as it frees up another loan slot to bring a new arrival in.

With money tight at Albion Big Sam will be hoping to wheel and deal to replace Krovinovic with someone who aligns more with his philosophy.

Thanks for the memories

It brings a premature end to an unhappy second spell at Albion for Krovinovic.

The 25-year-old made a sizeable contribution to their successful promotion charge in the Championship last season, featuring in 40 league games and contributing to five goals [WhoScored].

Many of these (16) were off the bench but with the incessant number of games and quick turnaround in the Championship he played an important role in the West Brom squad that secured second place under Slaven Bilic.

It was Bilic that played a key role in luring Krovinovic back to the club for a second loan spell in September and he featured heavily under him and has racked up 11 appearances in the Premier League this season.

However, only one of these was under Sam Allardyce who replaced Bilic in December and he has been deemed surplus to requirements, particularly after the arrival of January signing Robert Snodgrass.

Krovinovic will now head to a league he knows well and has fond memories of by joining a resurgent Forest side who were on a seven-game unbeaten run before losing to Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

In other West Brom news, Albion reportedly in talks for 29y/o striker who will cost a £710k loan fee.

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