Toulouse to demand more than £5m for West Brom-linked striker Rhys Healey
West Brom target Rhys Healey is unlikely to leave Toulouse in January, according to The Athletic.
TEAMTalk reported last month (23 November) that Albion have watched the striker in action for Toulouse in Ligue 2.
Burnley, Brighton, Norwich City, Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers were also named as clubs who were keeping a close eye on Healey’s progress.
However, The Athletic report that the former Cardiff City man is happy at Toulouse – who are currently top of the French second tier – and will not seek an exit anytime soon.
The outlet wrote: “There has been interest from a host of English clubs at the bottom end of the Premier League and in the Championship, but The Athletic understands it’s unlikely he will move in January.
“That’s partly because Toulouse would demand a significant fee, probably north of £5million, but also because he’s genuinely content in the south of France.
“He’s scoring goals, he has a good relationship with a manager who plays to his strengths, he’s just discovering what is a beautiful city after a year of COVID-19 preventing him and his partner from doing so, and they have a baby on the way.”
No chance
Healey is having a fantastic season in France and would no doubt be a very good signing for Albion.
The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals and registered four assists in 16 Ligue 2 appearances and scored all four goals as Toulouse beat Sochaux 4-1 in November.
However, it does seem as if a deal would be very hard to do given all the factors at play.
Even if Healey was open to a Toulouse exit, his price tag would be a huge stumbling block for West Brom.
Valerien Ismael was not given any money to spend on permanent transfers in the summer and the situation is likely to be similar in January.
The Baggies will definitely be in the market for a new striker as they have lacked firepower in the first half of the season, but they will likely look for either loan deals or cheaper permanent buys.
In other West Brom news, Albion cannot wait much longer to give this academy star a chance in the first team.
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