Anthony Onifade

Mon 30 January 2023 16:10, UK

West Brom remain keen on loan deals for Fulham’s Nathaniel Chalobah and Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien, however, a move for O’Brien has been described as “difficult” to complete, according to Sky Sports News.

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 add quality to his midfield before the transfer deadline on Tuesday [31 January].

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 previously worked together last season at Huddersfield Town.

The Spaniard was hoping to add combative midfielder Lewis O’Brien to his side this month but, according to BBC reporter Simon Stone [30 January], the move looks likely to collapse with Nottingham Forest wanting to insert a £10m obligation to buy clause into the deal.

According to Sky Sports News [Transfer Centre Live, 30 January, 13:55], whilst the club remain keen on loan deals for Chalobah and the Forest midfielder, a deal for O’Brien has been described by sources as “difficult” to complete.

Sky Sports News have reportedly been told that the Baggies are not the only club interested in taking the midfielder on loan this month. Nonetheless, Fulham are prepared to let Chalobah leave with just five months left on his current contract, according to reports.

Big Blow

It will be a big blow if Corberan can’t reunite with his former player O’Brien. The pair struck an impressive partnership at Huddersfield Town last season, as they came so close to promotion to the Premier League, having been beaten in the play-off final by O’Brien’s current employers Nottingham Forest.

Whilst the midfielder is keen to reunite with Corberan, it is understandable why Forest will be wanting to insert a £10m obligation to buy clause in any loan deal as they aim to reclaim some of the money spent on a player deemed surplus to requirements.

At 24-years-old, O’Brien still holds some market value which Forest are desperate to take advantage of. However, that shouldn’t be a stumbling block for the Baggies as the player possesses the qualities to be a key performer at the Hawthorns just like he was at Huddersfield last season.

With fellow promotion chasers Sheffield United [The Sun, 29 January also in the frame for his signature, this is an opportunity the West Midlands club cannot afford to pass up on. The Baggies must get him in and Chalobah in if they are to keep their promotion hopes alive.

In other West Brom news, this young striker has been spotted at Birmingham New Street ahead of joining the Baggies.