West Brom ran out of time to sign Omari Hutchinson on loan from Chelsea
West Brom were unable to get a deal for Chelsea sensation Omari Hutchinson over the line in time, according to The Athletic’s Elias Burke.
It had been suggested earlier on deadline day that the Baggies were close to finalising a move for the 19-year-old midfielder (Athletic live blog, 31 January).
However, Burke has revealed the two clubs ran out of time when trying to conclude a transfer, with Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton coming through the door at The Hawthorns instead.
“West Brom tried to sign Omari Hutchinson on loan as well but were unable to get the deal over the line in time,” wrote The Athletic journalist (1 February).
Icing on the cake
It’s a real shame the Baggies couldn’t get a deal for the Chelsea youngster over the line. It was a decent end to the window for Carlos Corberan with Albrighton joining Nathaniel Chalobah in signing for the Baggies. However, one more addition, potentially a younger player, would’ve been welcomed. Although, with Karlan Grant also staying put, missing out on Hutchinson isn’t the end of the world.
Nevertheless, the minimum requirement was to add strength in depth and the former Huddersfield boss has certainly done that. Chalobah is an experienced campaigner and knows what the Championship is about and how to get out of it.
Furthermore, Albrighton has been operating in the Premier League for the majority of his career and could provide the quality which is required for West Brom to secure a playoff spot. It’s a hotly contested race at the moment, and if the Baggies can put another run of wins together, they will find themselves occupying a top-six spot.
In other West Brom news, surgery news from the manager has come as a major blow to the Baggies’ season