West Brom withdraw transfer interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien – Rob Dorsett
West Brom have “withdrawn” their interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien on transfer deadline day, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.
Carlos Corberan’s search for a midfielder has burst into life in the past week, with Fulham’s Nathaniel Chalobah taking part in a medical on Tuesday morning. [Elias Burke, 31 January]
The Baggies had also “jumped to the front of the queue” for the signature of O’Brien, with several other Championship clubs interested in the deal. [The Athletic, Monday 30 January]
However, according to Dorsett, West Brom have now dropped their interest in the midfielder in the dying stages of the window.
He tweeted on Tuesday (31 January): “Latest on poss outs at Nottingham Forest: Lewis O’Brien – Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United in talks.
“West Bromwich Albion withdrawn interest.”
Confirmation of Chalobah?
The fact West Brom have withdrawn from the race to sign O’Brien suggests the club are closing in on the deal for Chalobah from Fulham.
It was always unlikely Corberan would sign two Premier League midfielders in one window, as he would never be able to keep both happy in terms of game time, so taking a step back from the Nottingham Forest player makes sense.
The Baggies have been searching for some reinforcements to supplement Jayson Molumby and Okay Yokuslu in midfield, and both Chalobah and O’Brien would certainly do that.
Whether Chalobah would start ahead of either Molumby or Yokuslu is debatable, as both have been important cogs in the Spaniard’s regime since he took over from Steve Bruce.
Either way, it is promising to see the club have a clear transfer strategy this window, and they weren’t going to be drawn into a transfer auction against fellow Championship clubs.
In other West Brom news, Celtic have accepted an offer from the Baggies for this January signing.