Steve Bruce: West Brom have a chance of signing Okay Yokuslu
Steve Bruce has revealed that West Brom have “a chance” of landing Turkey midfielder Okay Yokuslu but doesn’t “want to alert” anyone else to his availability.
The Express and Star reported on Tuesday 12 July that the Baggies are in talks with Yokuslu over a “sensational” return to The Hawthorns after his spell at the club at the start of 2021.
When asked about the 28-year-old after West Brom’s 3-0 pre-season victory over Northampton Bruce felt it was a move that wasn’t possible.
“I thought that ship had sailed,” said Bruce (as quoted by The Athletic’s Elias Burke, via Twitter 13 July).
He added: “However, we have got a chance.
“I don’t want to alert anyone else, but we have got a chance.
“We will see where that takes us over the next couple of days.
“I was very impressed with him when I saw him play in the PL.”
PL experience
Ultimately, to secure promotion from the Championship, a side must have Premier League quality players in their ranks and Yokuslu has proven himself for the Baggies in the top flight.
This is a move that just makes sense considering he is a free agent and having previously spent time on loan at The Hawthorns means the 28-year-old should adjust quickly to life back in England.
As much as Bruce will want to keep the move for the midfielder quiet, it has been widely documented in the media in recent days and the Baggies boss must now work quickly to secure a deal for the midfielder before another side comes in for the free agent.
Yokuslu would add even more experience to Bruce’s ranks, with the West Brom manager already bringing in Championship mainstays John Swift and Jed Wallace.
It is clear that Bruce is entrusting in experience to drag West Brom into the promotion picture this season, much as he has done at previous clubs he has been at.
As reported by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook (13 July, via Twitter) Bruce has allowed highly rated goalkeeper Josh Griffiths to join Portsmouth on loan and that is an indication of where Bruce’s trust in youth lies.
Let’s hope the Baggies move for Yokuslu hasn’t drawn too much attention and that Bruce can get a deal over the line in the coming days.
In other West Brom news, the West Brom shareholders have signed a non-disclosure agreement.