Journalist shares Kyle Bartley update after West Brom release news emerges
Kyle Bartley is still training with the West Brom first team despite reports that he has been released, according to Joe Chapman.
The Birmingham Live reporter reported on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday (23 August) that the defender is currently still working alongside his Baggies’ teammates, despite the reports.
Earlier on Wednesday (23 August), DOOD shared that the 32-year-old had been let go by West Brom as they continue to try and cut their wage bill this summer.
Discussing Bartley’s position at the Hawthorns, Chapman tweeted: “Re the Kyle Bartley speculation surrounding his future, been told he is training with the first team this morning.
“Appreciate things can change in football – not least of all in the final week of the window – but at this moment in time, at least, he’s still at the club.”
Replying to one fan, Chapman was unable to rule out that the defender was only with the squad to maintain fitness, replying: “Could well be the case.”
No-one is sure
Nobody quite seems to be sure whether or not Bartley is still a West Brom player, but as the old saying goes, there is no smoke without fire so it wouldn’t be a surprise for news of the defender’s contract termination to be confirmed in the coming days.
The Baggies are desperate to cut their wage bill this summer in the hopes of securing more incomings before the transfer window closes, this was the reason for Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s loan to Bristol City while the club are also hoping to find suitors for Nathaniel Chalobah and Grady Diangana.
Bartley is one of the higher earners at the Hawthorns, but his recent performances haven’t reflected a sense of value for money so it would make sense for him to be added to the list of players whose futures lie away from the Baggies this season.
The 32-year-old has only started once so far this season, that appearance coming against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup and has otherwise only been deployed from the bench, so it is airily clear he has fallen in Corberan’s pecking order this season.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies could well live to regret losing one young star this summer