West Brom transfer news as Jerry Yates could be too expensive at The Hawthorns
West Brom could have an excellent striker option in Jerry Yates, if the club is able to put a deal together to bring the player to the Hawthorns.
Yates enjoyed a fine Championship season, recording 14 goals along the way, and is now valued at £4 million following Blackpool’s relegation to League One meaning he could prove to be too expensive.
The Baggies want to sign him but are among several clubs tracking the 26-year old which will drive up his price as well the need to sell causing a significant issue for Carlos Corberan.
The Sun reported that the Baggies, Luton Town, Coventry City, Bristol City, and Ipswich have expressed interest in the Yates, with an unnamed club already having a bid of £2.5 million rejected.
The Baggies won’t be able to get into a bidding war over players ahead of the new season but something has to give and certain targets will need to be prioritised, even if it means other players leaving.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the impact of another season in the second tier will be felt in the coming months.
“The club have been struggling with cash-flow problems all season and gambled on promotion by borrowing £20 million from MSD Capital to avoid selling players in January, but will struggle to secure more lending while they are still in the Championship, the report said.
“To compound matters, their parachute payments from the Premier League will reduce to around £15m next season, so selling players such as Dara O’Shea and Karlan Grant is the only way they can survive.”
Focal point
With Karlan Grant looking set to leave and Daryl Dike’s injury absence causing a particular issue, there is a clear need for a solution to be found upfront for the Baggies, to spearhead the attack.
Yates would provide that for Corberan’s side, as well as other options being needed in attack.
The obvious sticking point is the fee that Blackpool will command in order to part ways with their hitman, who is contracted at Bloomfield Road until the end of next season.
Such a focal point will be required if West Brom are to be competitive in the next campaign in order to make a push for promotion to the Premier League but the squad situation is very uncertain just now.
Corberan will have to contend with the need to sell before the club can buy as the dire financial situation continues to bite as well as frustrating the desire for progress.
In other West Brom news, the club have made a desperate attempt to rip fans off now the season has ended.