Jim White: West Brom financial situation worsens daily amid Middle East takeover news
Jim White has revealed that the financial situation at West Brom is worsening by the day amid talk of a potential Middle Eastern takeover.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Wednesday (20 September, 11:21am), the presenter said Albion’s money problems could be beyond chairman Guochuan Lai, who is trying to find a buyer for the club before the end of the year.
This comes after the Telegraph reported on Tuesday (19 September) that a Middle Eastern party has held initial discussions over a potential £50million takeover of the Baggies.
“As we continue to focus on the Championship, the darker side maybe is at West Brom at the moment,” said White. “West Brom going against Watford tonight. Just a glance at the table, West Brom sitting down there. They have eight points from six games already played, so somehow they could do with getting themselves a win at Watford tonight.
“That might not be beyond them. But the financial situation might be beyond Guochuan Lai (the current chairman), who’s now trying to find a buyer for the club before the end of the year to, in many ways, prevent a January fire sale of players.
“He’s based in China and reportedly has declined to invest his own money in the football club as he wants the club to be self-sustainable. Now it’s understood the club’s financial problems are increasing by the day after they failed to raise enough funds through player sales in the transfer window just gone.”
Worrying
There is no doubt that the situation is getting more worrying by the day as West Brom’s finances continue to paint an unpretty picture.
Lai appears to have no intention of putting any more money into the club, meaning a change of ownership is needed as quickly as possible.
If that doesn’t happen by the time January comes around, it’s likely a number of players could be forced to move on to help keep Albion going on a daily basis.
Under the difficult circumstances, Carlos Corberan is doing an excellent job of keeping things together and ensuring his side remain competitive in the Championship.
But you have to wonder how long the Spaniard will be able to keep the spirits high amongst the group as the ongoings behind the scenes continue to spread doubts over the club’s long-term future.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has revealed one player could be out until next year.