Jeremy Sarmiento arrival could hasten Grady Diangana exit at West Brom
West Brom have finally completed their first signing of the summer transfer window with 11 days to go until they get their Championship campaign started away at Blackburn.
The club have officially announced (25 July) the arrival of attacking midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brighton.
It represents a fantastic addition to the squad with the 21-year-old very highly thought of at Brighton, where he made 12 appearances in the Premier League last season.
Sarmiento also appeared in all three of Ecuador’s 2022 World Cup group-stage matches during December, which included a 2-0 win over hosts Qatar and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.
He arrived on the South Coast in 2021 and was named Brighton’s young player of the season during the 2021/22 campaign.
Carlos Corberan is delighted with the newest recruit to his squad, telling the official club website (25 July), “I am very pleased to have signed a talented player from a Premier League club. He is an exciting player, who has great maturity for someone so young.
“He is a versatile attacker who can play on either wing, as well as through the middle as a 10, and his flexibility to play to a high standard in three different positions will be important to us.”
It is one of the best players the Baggies could have realistically attracted in the market, in a priority position, and will give fans a much-needed confidence boost heading into the upcoming Championship season, which promises to be more competitive than ever.
What the signing could also mean is the exit of fellow forward Grady Diangana. The 25-year-old was ruled out for the remainder of last season after he required surgery for a foot injury he suffered in February and despite progressing well to return in time ahead of the new season, he has been linked with a move away.
According to Sunday Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop (14 July), there is interest in the former West Ham player.
Diangana has made 72 appearances in the Championship across the past two seasons and although his six goals and four assists is not the most productive return, he is a player Corberan would surely not want to let go.
Although the club’s financial position might force them into selling and with Sarmiento now at the club, this could lead to the door opening for Diangana to say goodbye to the Hawthorns.
However, with their latest recruit confirmed, and a very exciting one at that, this will soften the blow if Diangana is to depart.
In other West Brom news, finance expert Dan Plumley has reacted to some positive financial news for the club.