West Brom deal to sign Okay Yokuslu looks likely with optimism on both sides
There is “optimism” on the side of both West Brom and Okay Yokuslu’s representatives of a deal being reached, Elias Burke reports.
After the Turkish midfielder’s contract was terminated by mutual consent at the start of the month he left Celta Vigo, and fans were hoping for a reunion.
While that didn’t initially look likely according to manager Steve Bruce, the former Hawthorns loanee has since lowered his wage demands [Express and Star].
As such it is now looking like it should happen, although The Athletic’s Albion reporter Burke does not believe a medical has yet been scheduled, despite negotiations continuing.
He wrote on his personal Twitter account: “No medicals booked at this stage as far as I know. The club and player’s reps are in talks and optimism on both sides a deal can be struck.”
28-year-old Yokuslu made 16 Premier League appearances for the club as they were relegated from the top flight in 2020/21.
Advances
Clearly surplus to requirements at Celta, Yokuslu spent the second half of the season just gone at Getafe and saw most of his time at centre-back.
He was solid in the ultimately doomed season when he was on loan at the club previously, but hasn’t had a wonderful time of things since.
But he is still a 39-cap Turkish international who was getting picked for his country this time last year so he might have something to offer in the Championship.
Despite the club’s reduced circumstances in the market this summer Bruce has had his squad boosted by the impressive free agent signings of John Swift and Jed Wallace.
Yokuslu looks to have fallen into their lap due to the circumstances so if he ends up having a solid impact it will be a major bonus.
The club have been looking for a specialist defensive midfielder, with captain Jake Livermore not naturally suited and others also having to adapt to fill the role, so if Yokuslu can make that position his own this move could work out very well for both player and club.
In other West Brom news, a fan managed to get into the club’s behind-closed-doors friendly for an interaction with one of the Baggies players.
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