West Brom will not make any last-ditch signings before 11pm
Express & Star journalist Joseph Masi has ruled out any late business at West Brom with the January transfer window now less than two hours away from closing.
Sam Johnstone was linked with a last-gasp move to Southampton earlier today (31 January) when Masi’s Express & Star colleague Nathan Judah reported the Saints are favourites to seal a late deal for the England goalkeeper.
However, Masi has ruled out a move away for Johnstone and says that there won’t be any other signings or sales.
“There was a brief rumour today that Southampton might make a late bid for Sam Johnstone but, to be honest, that was a non-starter right from the off. As far as I understand, there’s nothing in that,” said Masi, as shown on the Express & Star’s YouTube channel on 31 January.
“And there is just absolutely nothing going on.
“All eyes are elsewhere, aren’t they? There’s only one story in town and that story is the future of Valerien Ismael – is he going to stay or is he going to go?
“In terms of deadline day, it’s very, very strange and as I sit here talking to you now, I’m not expecting any incomings or outgoings.”
Good job
West Brom’s transfer business in recent years has mainly been woeful so we’re quite happy with the club not signing anyone on deadline day.
In all honesty, there’s a clear need for a new midfielder right now but Ismael is likely to have already spent whatever funds were available to him on Daryl Dike and Andy Carroll.
On paper, they are two good signings but we’re just so unlucky that Dike has been injured already and is out for another seven weeks.
Carroll showed some promise at Millwall on Saturday but in truth, this is not a squad that is going to win promotion this season.
Whether Ismael is in charge or not, West Brom will remain a Championship club and will have to have another go at getting back into the Premier League in 2022/23.
As for Johnstone, it’s baffling to see Ismael leaving him out of his squad when he’s easily the best goalkeeper in the Championship.
Either sell him now and get some money or play him because his contract is up in the summer.
Ismael really is making a mess of things.
In other West Brom news, this ex-Baggies manager is top choice to replace Ismael.