West Brom paperwork for late, late Josh Onomah loan may have been done in time after all
West Brom may have completed an extremely late loan move to bring Josh Onomah in from Fulham on deadline day, according to Tom Collomosse.
The 25-year-old was in for his Baggies medical earlier on Thursday (1 September) before things went quiet for some time as the 11pm cut off approached.
But as the minutes ticked down it appeared confirmation had arrived that the midfielder had been added to the Albion squad, before some even later confusion threw it into doubt again.
Telegraph reporter McGrath wrote on his personal Twitter account just inside the deadline: “Fulham midfielder Josh Onomah has completed his move to West Brom”.
But he quickly followed up with a second post saying: “But the paperwork has not been lodged in time. Deal off”.
However, after the deadline had passed Daily Mail reporter Collomosse commented on McGrath’s post simply to say “Lodged”, suggesting the documents were in fact in.
An appeal was mooted as likely either way, but in the confusion it may turn out that is unnecessary and what appeared to be a highly frustrating end to the window might not be so bad.
Clouded
Without a huge transfer budget there was never going to be scope for a full-scale remodelling of the Albion squad so late in the day.
Onomah would bring a solid option with experience of both the Championship and the Premier League, who can also chip in with the odd goal involvement.
Having not featured for Marco Silva’s side yet this season it would clearly be beneficial to him to make the switch to the Hawthorns.
Since it had been reported that he was in for his medical close to nine hours before the deadline there really should be no excuse to get the paperwork ready in time.
Even if there were complications in the testing process itself, which there is no evidence that there was, a professional football club surely has somebody available on deadline day of all days to get the forms ready to go either way.
If Onomah doesn’t end up being cleared for the move then fans will justifiably be wondering why, with Steven Alzate’s future also unclear.
In other West Brom news, a Championship rival made a late move to sign a first-team Baggies player.