West Brom must not be bullied into cheap Grady Diangana sale as transfer news emerges
West Brom will listen to offers for Dara O’Shea and Grady Diangana this summer but their financial situation does not mean they should be bullied into a quick-fire cheap sale.
According to the Sunday People [11 June, page 61] the Baggies are willing to listen to potential offers for both Grady Diangana and Dara O’Shea in order to “balance the books” at The Hawthorns.
West Brom signed the fleet-footed Frenchman from West Ham on a permanent basis in 2020 following a productive loan spell, while O’Shea, a product of the club’s youth academy, emerged as a vital performer under Carlos Corberan last season.
“West Brom will listen to offers for Grady Diangana and Dara O’Shea as they look to balance the books this summer,” wrote the Sunday People (11 June, page 61).
“Former West Ham striker Diangana, 25, played a major role the last time the club were promoted to the Premier League in 2020 but failed to kick on, despite a £20million fee.
“O’Shea is a product of the club’s academy and was handed a lengthy deal after he became one of the few to emerge with credit during the Baggies’ relegation under Sam Allardyce in 2021.”
The Baggies are preparing for a crucial full season with Corberan in charge following some worrying behind-the-scenes development at the club following the departure of CEO Ron Gourlay which will have thrown the Spaniard’s position at the club into real doubt.
However, the Spaniard’s position at the club seriously isn’t safe with Leeds United intent on confirming their managerial candidate in the coming days and Corberan has emerged as one of the key favourites for the role, with the interview process already taking place.
For now, though, the former Huddersfield coach will be ensuring his squad is well-placed to challenge for another promotion assault next season, having only missed out on a playoff place on the final day of the campaign.
The outgoings at West Brom may prove even more crucial but the departures of both O’Shea and Diangana may prove a real blunder by the club board and could lead to backlash from fans.
In order for West Brom to ensure they challenge the top again, Corberan will need some familiarity within his squad and key stars O’Shea and Diangana could well prove crucial to his ambitions.
Also, there are no guarantees the Baggies will be able to sign replacements this summer given their tough financial position leaving them lacking in the market in comparison to their rivals.
It is imperative the Baggies show some strength in the market to make a statement to their rivals ahead of the campaign and keeping such vital performers in the midst of such financial difficulty at The Hawthorns is a huge step in achieving that.
Though, should a big offer come in for either player this summer, Corberan may well be tempted to lose Diangana over O’Shea given his lack of consistency last season.
West Brom do need funds in order to rebuild further this summer and they may well be inclined to accept an offer for Diangana. However, given their position behind the scenes, the Baggies must resist the urge to accept a lowball sale of Diangana.
Certainly, the Frenchman struggled for consistency last season but on paper remains one of the club’s most prized assets and with his contract at The Hawthorns not up until 2025, West Brom remain in a strong position to demand a healthy sum for his services should any offers arrive.
In other West Brom news, one pundit has mooted a summer move for a Player of the Season nominee at the Albion.