West Brom Super Fans are keen for Guochuan Lai to sell the club soon
This is part of a regular series from our panel of West Brom Super Fans. Each week, our Super Fans will deliver their verdicts on the biggest talking points and news stories around The Hawthorns.
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Guochuan Lai is open to selling West Brom and our Super Fans hope it happens sooner rather than later.
The Daily Mail reported in January that there were three interested parties who were aiming to talk to Lai about a potential takeover.
The report suggests the Chinese owner is “desperate” to sell but is yet to receive a bid equal to his £200million valuation.
Lai paid £175m for an 88% stake in 2016 but with relegation to the Championship looming it is possible he will not be able to recoup that expenditure.
Nevertheless, Albion Super Fans are still hopeful of a takeover before the start of next season as they all agree that his tenure has not been a successful one.
Here is what they think about the Baggies owner.
Luke Pollard (@LukeyP_wba)
Jamie Rossiter (Jay89R)
Dylan Ashmore (@WBADyl)
Dan Nash (@DanNash86)
Josh (@JoshAtWBA)
Jon W (@JonW1995)
It is clear to see there is a unanimous feeling that Lai’s departure would be a positive development for West Brom.
Naturally, there is a little trepidation about Albion’s future once Lai leaves, as the next owner could spend even less or build up the club’s debt.
This is an important period for West Brom.
We look destined to play in the Championship next year but more worrying is the lack of long-term vision, as one Super Fan Dan Nash points out.
Our squad is littered with loan players or stars whose contracts are running out.
Under Lai that is unlikely to change due to his tight control over the transfer budget, which means Sam Allardyce – or whoever is in charge – will likely have to make more loan signings in summer.
A new owner could change that and identify a strategy to re-establish us as a Premier League outfit.
In other West Brom news, an Albion-linked player has sent a message to a Baggies star following an international display.
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