Wayne Rooney responds to West Brom-Tom Lawrence reports
Wayne Rooney has given a definitive answer to reports claiming Derby County captain Tom Lawrence could depart for West Brom this summer.
The Rams manager is adamant that his 27-year-old attacker will not be leaving Pride Park in this transfer window, after the Daily Mail claimed on Tuesday [03/08/21] that the West Midlands club were eyeing the Wales international up if they sold Matheus Pereira or Sam Johnstone.
In quotes relayed by The Athletic’s Ryan Conway on his personal Twitter profile, Rooney said: “Ask West Brom. But Tom will be going nowhere. No amount of money will get him out of this football club. That’s for sure.”
Out of his hands?
That’s a pretty bold response from Rooney who appears adamant that his star man will not be leaving the club this summer.
However, will the England men’s record goalscorer actually have a say in proceedings if Albion submits a suitable offer?
Derby are in absolute turmoil at the moment owing to their financial issues which mean they are capped on who they can bring into the club for the upcoming campaign.
A host of stars left the club after they just scraped Championship survival last season, and they have been left with a threadbare squad ahead of the start of the season this weekend.
Lawrence has recently been installed as captain and will be tasked with providing the goals and assists to fire them as far away from the bottom of the table as possible, but will he agitate for a move if Albion firm up their interest? Plus, will Derby’s owner be able to say no if a tempting offer is made that will help to bring in four, five or six new recruits?
The decision may well be taken out of Rooney’ hands.
In other West Brom news, Odemwingie has sent a message to Matheus Pereira amid the latest controversy at The Hawthorns.
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