West Brom in talks to sign Lewis O’Brien and Nathaniel Chalobah on loan, Martin Kelly exit on the cards
West Brom are in late January talks to sign midfielders Lewis O’Brien and Nathaniel Chalobah from Nottingham Forest and Fulham respectively and could see defender Martin Kelly depart before the window shuts, according to the Mail on Sunday.
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 as they aim to secure a swift promotion back to the Premier League.
Both players have been peripheral figures for their respective clubs so far this campaign, making just seven Premier League starts between them and could well prove late pivotal figures in the Baggies’ promotion quest.
Former Crystal Palace defender Kelly looks set to be on the move from The Hawthorns this month too. And according to the Mail on Sunday [29 January, pg 108], the 32-year-old defender is reportedly a target for Sky Bet Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic.
The Baggies are reportedly discussing loan moves for O’Brien and Chalobah before the window shuts.
Terrific deals
Both O’Brien and Chalobah represent terrific deals for Corberan as both players hold valuable experience in the Championship, and both of them possess knowledge of how the promotion run-in will be.
Signing them makes perfect sense. Corberan used to work with O’Brien at Huddersfield Town last season before his summer move to Nottingham Forest and will add much-needed quality and endeavour to the Baggies midfield.
Chalobah is also a move which makes sense, 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 will bring steel, aggression and quality to the Baggies midfield which means Corberan will be well-stocked for his assault on the Championship play-off spots.
Regarding the departing Kelly, it’s safe to say, his time at the Hawthorns should be coming to an abrupt end having made only 5 appearances so far this campaign. It seems as if another Championship team could do with his services.
In other West Brom news, this striker has been spotted at Birmingham New Street ahead of joining the Baggies.