Okay Yokuslu and Mbaye Diagne unlikely to return to West Brom due to wages
It appears highly unlikely that West Brom will sign Okay Yokuslu and Mbaye Diagne on permanent deals this summer, according to the Express.
Writing on the newspaper’s website, Express Sport journalist Ryan Taylor claims the 2020/21 West Brom loan duo are expected to be sold by Galatasaray and Celta Vigo respectively, and they could be heading for England.
However, it will be difficult for West Brom to agree a transfer for either.
It is reported by Taylor that the West Midlands club wanted to retain them in the event of securing Premier League safety, but relegation to the Championship means they are now restricted with their wage bill.
Furthermore, it is said that new Albion boss Valerien Ismael wants to “put his own stamp on the squad”.
Expected
Fans had probably written off our chances of landing either player on a permanent basis when our relegation was confirmed in May, but recent reports had suggested there was still hope of them returning to The Hawthorns.
Spanish news outlet Faro de Vigo recently reported that West Brom had held talks over a deal for 27-year-old Yokuslu in June, while Turkish publication Ajansspor claimed via their official Twitter account last Friday [July 9] that Albion had made a £4.3m offer for 29-year-old Diagne.
However, it looks like any attempts to sign the duo will be thwarted by our wage bill, which will be lowered due to our relegation to the Championship.
Both were regular starters under Sam Allardyce in the second half of the season, but Turkish international Yokuslu arguably had the biggest impact, becoming a fans favourite in his brief spell with the Baggies.
He would have been the most welcome addition to the side this summer, though Diagne could have been a handy option under Ismael as a target man up front.
In other West Brom news, contact has been made with Albion in hot pursuit of Premier League man with 3 Player of the Year awards in last four years.
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