Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt set for West Brom medical
Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt will undergo a medical at West Brom later this week ahead of his move to The Hawthorns, according to John Percy.
The Telegraph journalist made the claim on his personal Twitter profile on Tuesday evening.
He wrote: “New head coach Valérien Ismaël is close to making Barnsley midfielder Alex Mowatt his first signing. Barring any unexpected late hitches, Mowatt will have a medical later this week and sign on a free transfer.”
Making his mark
This looks like a no-brainer of a signing – Mowatt is well-versed in Ismael’s tactics after playing under the Frenchman for the Tykes last season.
The 26-year-old was the driving force behind their storm to the Championship play-off positions under the newly-appointed Albion boss, contributing a combined 15 goal and assist tally.
He was their enforcer in midfield as their high-intensity, pressing football caused chaos in the second-tier.
His Barnsley contract expires on Wednesday, June 30, so he will be available for nothing.
Therefore, it’s a very low-risk signing to make in a summer where we need to strengthen in plenty of positions, not least midfield.
Mowatt knows the Championship inside-out and is well-accustomed to Ismael’s methods, so it makes perfect sense to bring him in, and he will be able to slot straight into pre-season and meet his new teammates.
Further reinforcements will be required, particularly in the centre of midfield where we have lost Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Okay Yokuslu and Conor Gallagher to their parent clubs after their loan spells concluded at the end of the season.
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