Kevin Phillips: Massive boost for West Brom to get rid of £70,000-a-wk Kieran Gibbs
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips is delighted for West Brom as Kieran Gibbs’ pre-contract agreement with Inter Miami means the club will be getting a massive earner off the wage bill.
Earlier this week, Gibbs’ summer move to the MLS was confirmed with the 31-year-old confirming on Instagram that he’s “extremely excited” to be making the move to Florida at the end of the Premier League season.
ESPN had reported earlier this month that the ex-Arsenal left-back was West Brom’s highest-earning player on a wage of £70,000-a-week.
Ex-Baggies forward Phillips is happy for Gibbs to be making the move to Inter Miami but he’s just as thrilled for his former club as it frees up plenty of money to spend in the summer.
“It goes without saying I wish him all the best, he’s been a great servant,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“To free up a wage of those figures would be a massive boost for the club. We’ll see if that gets used straight away or they can get a couple of players in and split that money up.
“From a financial point of view, the club will be delighted to free up that wage to try and replace him with a younger model.
“It’s great news for Kieran to move out there and for the club, it’s a boost.”
Gibbs has made 100 appearances in all competition for West Brom since he was signed by Tony Pulis from Arsenal in 2017.
He’s had a tough time with injuries in the last year, reducing his game time to just 24 league matches both this season and last.
However, before the injury issues started to creep in, Gibbs was a class-act at left-back and is one of the best the Baggies have had in a long time.
It will be tough to replace him with another season in the Championship looming.
Let’s hope Conor Townsend is able to keep up his fine form.
In other West Brom news, Albion have set their sights on this 24-year-old goalkeeper who made two stunning saves for his country this week.
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