West Brom expected to agree ‘significant’ coup before transfer deadline, Lewis O’Brien negotiations underway
West Brom are seeking to reinforce their Championship promotion hopes by securing two loan deals before the window shuts, with the Baggies in talks for Lewis O’Brien and Nathaniel Chabolah, according to the Daily Mail.
The Baggies have been linked with moves for O’Brien [The Athletic, 28 January] and Chalobah [Daily Mail, 28 January] throughout the January window with boss Carlos Corberan looking to bolster his squad ahead of a crucial period in their season.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reported on his Patreon page [29 January] that Nottingham Forest midfielder O’Brien is keen to reunite with Carlos Corberan at the Hawthorns, having worked together last season at Huddersfield Town
Both O’Brien and Chalobah have endured uneventful campaigns at their respective clubs this season, just making seven Premier League starts between them so far.
And according to the Daily Mail [29 January] the Baggies are discussing loan deals for both players with Nottingham Forest and Fulham respectively.
Negotiations are reportedly underway for both players with a deal for at least one of the duo expected to be agreed upon before Tuesday.
The report goes on to claim that both deals would “represent a significant coup” for the club as they go in search of a swift return back to the Premier League.
Major coup
These are two deals West Brom simply have to get over the line if they harbour any ambitions to get back into the Premier League big time.
Both O’Brien and Chalobah represent major coups for the Baggies, and they are players blessed with quality that Corberan could do incredibly well to harness.
O’Brien was one of the Championship’s most standout and consistent midfield performers under Corberan at Huddersfield and getting him back to that same vein at the Hawthorns could drive the club up to new levels than the ones they’ve already reached under the Spaniard since his appointment in October.
Chalobah is also a move which makes perfect sense too, considering his experience both in the Championship and the Premier League. Still, more crucially, the 28-year-old has won promotion to the English top-flight twice before with both Watford and Fulham over the last three campaigns.
He also holds European experience, having previously been on loan to Serie A side Napoli back in the 2015/16 campaign.
The former Chelsea player is guaranteed to add some reinforced steel, aggression and quality to the Baggies midfield which means Corberan will be well-stocked for his assault on the Championship play-off spots.
In other West Brom news, this striker has been spotted at Birmingham New Street ahead of joining the Baggies.