Kevin Phillips wants West Brom to re-sign Okay Yoksulu after Matheus Pereira sale
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips wants West Brom to use some of the money gained from selling Matheus Pereira to re-sign Okay Yokuslu from Celta Vigo.
Pereira, 25, joined Al Hilal last week and that deal has no doubt boosted Valerien Ismael’s transfer budget for the rest of the month.
Yokuslu, 27, has been linked with returning to The Hawthorns this summer after impressing in the Premier League while on loan at the Baggies in the second half of last season.
In late July, AS reported that the Turkey international would be open to re-signing for Albion with the Black Country club having a deal in progress for the defensive midfielder.
However, Sky Sports has reported that Watford and Wolves are also both keen on the wantaway Celta Vigo ace.
But with West Brom’s coffers boosted by Pereira’s exit, Phillips wants to see his former club re-sign Yokuslu to help them get out of the Championship this term.
Speaking to West Brom News, Super Kev said: “Maybe that [money] could be the bargaining tool. It’s one of the reasons why the club said, ‘yeah, let’s get that deal done’ so now they have the funds in and can push to try and get Yokuslu back at the club.
“We saw what he did in the Premier League and he’d have no problems playing in the Championship – he’d step up to that without an issue.
“The only way it’s going to work is if Ismael is given that money to go and strengthen.
“If he can get Yokuslu back, that would be a major signing for West Brom.”
Yokuslu made 16 appearances while on loan with the Albion last season and did a great job in the midfield despite the club suffering relegation.
He did not have the best of European Championships with Turkey and there have been concerns about his overall fitness and ability to play the full 90 minutes of matches.
However, Ismael’s midfield options remain light and if a deal can be struck for Yokuslu, it would be a massive improvement to the squad.
In other West Brom news, Phillips has reacted to the news that Albion want to sign this attacker to replace Matheus Pereira.
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