West Brom pulled plug on Omari Hutchinson deadline-day deal, Chelsea were ready to announce him
West Brom had a late change of heart on deadline day and decided to loan in Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton rather than Omari Hutchinson, with Chelsea set to announce the completion of the deal, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The Athletic reported live on their transfer live blog [31 January] on deadline day that the Baggies were set to finalise a late loan move for the teenager, with fellow Championship club Wigan Athletic also interested.
Not only was Hutchinson rumoured to be in line with a temporary move to the Hawthorns, but also Leicester City veteran Albrighton, with the club making a last-ditch attempt [Sam Wallace, 31 January] to sign him on-loan.
However, but for an unfortunate late twist, West Brom only completed one of those potential deals.
According to Phillips, writing on his Twitter account [1 February], revealed that the Baggies had a late change of heart chosing to sign Albrighton and pulling the plug on a move for Hutchinson.
He tweeted: “It wasn’t only Hakim Ziyech who’s move collapsed in the final hours last night. It looks like West Brom had a late change of heart and decided to loan in Marc Albrighton instead of Omari Hutchinson.
“Understand Chelsea were all set to announce Hutchinson to WBA last night!”
Missed opportunity
The Baggies have undergone a mixed January transfer window in signing both Nathaniel Chalobah and Albrighton who will both certainly much-needed experience and know-how to Carlos Corberan’s squad.
But missing out on the likes of O’Brien and Hutchinson represents a missed opportunity as the Baggies could have possessed the tools to allow them the opportunity to put one over their play-off rivals.
The 19-year-old is an exciting young attacker, one who held the qualities and talents to prove an unexpected wildcard for Corberan to boost his attacking weaponry. In all honesty, the club should have acquired both Albrighton and the Chelsea academy star.
Bringing in a unique blend of youthful exuberance as well as a leader and experienced head altogether is certainly what’s needed to challenge at the top of the Championship and Corberan will be praying he doesn’t regret missing out on signing the 19-year-old to refresh his attack.
In other West Brom news, surgery news from the manager has come as a major blow to the Baggies’ season.