West Brom in talks with Bristol City to loan out Taylor Gardner-Hickman before transfer deadline
West Brom are in talks with Bristol City about allowing Taylor Gardner-Hickman to leave the club on loan, according to the Express & Star.
Writing on their official website (22 August), the newspaper reports that the Baggies are open to the 21-year-old leaving temporarily for more regular football as Nigel Pearson considers using him in midfield.
West Brom are keen to offload players to clear their wage bill and make room for some new signings in the final weeks of the window, and Gardner-Hickman isn’t in Carlos Corberan’s starting plans despite coming off the bench in three of the four games so far this season.
“Albion are in talks with Bristol City over a loan move for midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman,” they wrote.
“It is understood the Baggies are willing to let the versatile 21-year-old leave The Hawthorns and a temporary move fits the bill for Robins boss Nigel Pearson, the former Albion assistant and caretaker.”
Yikes
If we are desperate to strengthen the squad before the window closes, why are we letting one of our most versatile and better players leave?
Gardner-Hickman is capable of playing as a wing-back on either side, a full-back and in central midfield too and his talent is clear for all to see.
It’s no coincidence that he’s one of the players most coveted in our squad, and losing him just to find alternative signings doesn’t really make sense when you consider he is 21 and just needs regular minutes.
There are several other players who should be moved on before him, and letting him go to Bristol City also means he could help a potential rival finish above us in a push for promotion.
A loan move is better than a sale because it means we get him back eventually, but an exit is just weird at this stage when we could and should be focusing on incoming to add to what we already have.
In other West Brom news, club willing to let first-team trio leave to fund new signings before deadline day.