Karlan Grant on verge of leaving West Brom on loan to join Swansea City
West Brom forward Karlan Grant is on the verge of departing The Hawthorns on transfer deadline day with Sky Bet Championship rivals Swansea City set to sign him on loan until the end of the season, according to journalist Stuart James.
Grant was the Baggies’ top scorer last season as the club struggled in the Championship, and has endured a bit-part role under Carlos Corberan so far this campaign.
Sunday Mirror’s Darren Witcoop reported on 30 January that the West Midlands club had fielded a few loan enquiries for the forward but would not sanction any deal until a replacement is found.
And with the club completing deals for Nathaniel Chalobah from Fulham and youngster Omari Hutchinson [BBC Sport, 31 January] edging closer to a move from Chelsea, it seems as if the club have given the green light for the forward to leave temporarily.
According to the latest developments, that is indeed the case. The Athletic journalist James, took to his personal Twitter account [31 January] to reveal that the 25-year-old striker is closing in on a deadline day move to Swansea.
He tweeted: “Swansea City are set to sign Karlan Grant on loan from WBA until the end of the season.”
Baffling decision
Considering Grant’s proven Championship quality and his potential to still play a part in West Brom’s promotion bid, the decision to sell him to a direct play-off rival is incredibly baffling.
Grant is capable of playing as a striker or as a winger and with Daryl Dike’s previous injury issues, plus the fact that Matty Phillips is out for a while with injury too, Corberan is in real need of some attacking depth.
Hutchinson is a truly brilliant luxury signing but Grant’s Championship-level experience and goal-scoring prowess could well have aided the Baggies in their play-off bid.
West Brom have had endured a fair few injuries and suspensions in recent months, and letting such a quality attacker go to a team just beneath them in the league table is a real cause for concern. Corberan will be hoping this decision doesn’t come back to bite him later.
In other West Brom news, permanent deal not ruled out as club locked in talks for last-ditch signing.