Data from The Athletic reflects favourably on reported West Brom summer targets
The Athletic’s West Brom correspondent Steve Madeley has revealed analytical data which shows promising findings on the Baggies rumoured transfer targets.
John Swift is leaving Reading in the summer and has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns [Express & Star], whilst fresh reports this morning suggest Albion are interested in pursuing a deal for Jed Wallace [E&S] as Steve Bruce looks to rebuild a squad capable of promotion to the Premier League for next season.
Using results from smarterscout (29 April), Madeley found Swift and Wallace to rate highly for “progressive passing” and “xG from ball progression”, music to the ears of Baggies fans who have seen a midfield this season crying out for some creativity.
Both are out of contract at Reading and Millwall respectively in the summer and could make astute signings as Bruce looks to build a squad capable of a serious promotion push next term.
Promising Signs
With this season a foregone conclusion West Brom’s last two games are essentially auditions for the current players as they look to write themselves into Bruce’s plans for next season.
Attention has already turned to the summer in what the Baggies boss has already admitted will be a steep task to rebuild a squad which will likely need several departures to effectively balance the books.
Free transfers therefore make an obvious appeal and even more so when the stats reflect positively upon potential signings.
Of course it’s not quite as simple as that as several other clubs will have the same train of thought and look to grab themselves a bargain, so it’s important Albion have their strategy outlined and ready to go from day one of the window.
If they manage to pull it off, there could be a lot more to cheer about at The Hawthorns next season.
In other West Brom news, Steve Bruce is looking for a big impact from this player next campaign.
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