West Brom want to sign Derby County captain Tom Lawrence
West Brom are weighing up a move for 27-year-old Derby County midfielder Tom Lawrence, according to the Daily Mail.
The 26-capped Wales international could be relatively easy to snare from the East Midlands with the Rams open to offers for all of their players due to their ongoing financial issues.
Lawrence, meanwhile, would consider a new challenge, and Albion could make their move for the new Derby captain if they sell either of their star duo Matheus Pereira and Sam Johnstone, as they need to recoup around £15million in player sales this summer to balance their books.
Proven Championship performer
Lawrence had his fair share of personal issues over the years, but there is no doubting the Manchester United academy graduate’s abilities, especially in the second-tier.
He scored just three goals in the Championship last year in a dismal Derby side that barely scraped survival, but 31 over the previous four seasons shows just how lethal he can be, allied to a glut of assists.
The Wrexham-born star may not have the same Brazilian flair as Pereira but as cut-price signings go, he would be well worth it.
He can play through the middle or on the wings and could thrive anywhere in attack in Valerien Ismael’s favoured 3-4-3 formation.
If money continues to be tight at The Hawthorns the “unbelievable” [Richard Cusack, Birmingham Mail] Lawrence could prove to be one of the better bargain finds.
The hope will be that there is more money saved for a more luxurious striker to pin our hopes on, but we won’t hold our breath on that one.
In other West Brom news, Fabrizio Romano delivers significant Albion transfer update on Monday night.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.