Karlan Grant to leave West Brom next as Dara O’Shea transfer to Burnley now set
West Brom supporters will be reeling but not surprised by the latest developments at the Hawthorns as Karlan Grant may be next to leave the club, as Dara O’Shea’s transfer to Burnley is well advanced.
The sale of two prominent first-team players points to a clear need to raise funds, an effective fire sale, which represents an ominous warning before pre-season preparations get underway.
What must Carlos Corberan be thinking? The Spanish coach wants progression and improvement on last season’s finish just outside the playoff spots but that will be a tough ask if the outgoing players can’t be replaced adequately.
The Daily Mail had previously indicated that O’Shea and Grant would be two of the players expected to be sold and that may now be coming to fruition.
Upon their return to the Premier League, Burnley have the means once again to splash out as required to fill their squad. The Clarets will know all about O’Shea and they are now closing in on a deal to bring the defender to Turf Moor.
Discussions were said to be ongoing, with a medical to follow, after a £7million fee was agreed between the clubs, according to John Percy today.
From a Baggies perspective, it will be very disappointing to lose the academy product, at the age of 24, and probably not for the optimum fee and terms that would be possible if the club wasn’t in such a dire financial predicament.
As for Grant, there is just a feeling of inevitability on his probable departure.
He played a significant role last season, but only managed a return of three goals over 31 games. There would have been scope for him to progress in the upcoming campaign but it is looking like it won’t be at the Hawthorns.
In the second half of the season, his inclusion was often out of need rather than choice as he wasn’t preferred by Corberan for long enough.
The two players named above won’t be the only departures at the club as the lack of parachute payments starts to really bite.
As for the reinforcements, the Spanish head coach will need to work wonders to make his side a competitive force in the months ahead.
In other West Brom news, a Sky Sports pundit has lashed out at a Baggies employee and has mooted serious consequences behind the scenes at Hawthorns.