West Brom: Journo shares ‘intensely worrying’ verdict on situation at The Hawthorns
West Brom find themselves in an “intensely worrying” situation regarding their financial issues, according to Express & Star‘s chief sports writer Matt Maher.
Albion’s controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai is seeking an exit from The Hawthorns and is reported to be in talks with several parties over a sale of the club.
However, with no money currently coming in, Maher is concerned by the lack of concrete confirmation of any buyers being interested in West Brom.
Writing in his column for the online edition of the publication on Friday [22 September], Maher said: “The concern is that, now nearly three months on from it becoming public knowledge the club were actively searching for new investment, nothing more concrete has emerged.
“Frankly, it would be frightening if discussions with potential suitors were not ongoing, yet neither is it particularly reassuring to realise we are now closer to the point at which new owners must be found for the club to avoid being placed in serious peril.”
Maher added: “Put the whole picture together and it does not feel a stretch to describe the next six months as among the biggest in Albion’s history. For supporters, the situation remains intensely worrying.”
Priority
As each month without an update passes, the situation does indeed become more worrying for West Brom.
The finances paint an unpretty picture and the January window is only now a little over three months away, at which point more first-team players may be cashed in.
The Telegraph reported on 19 September that a Middle Eastern party has held initial discussions over a potential £50million takeover of the Baggies, while there is also supposedly interest from America.
That is of course a positive development, but the time for talking so to speak is quickly running out.
Carlos Corberan is keeping things together on the field, with Albion a respectable enough 15th in the Championship after seven games, three points off the play-offs.
A successful season on the field is of course important, but finding someone ready to pump some money into the club is the main priority right now.
In other West Brom news, Sky Sports host David Prutton has predicted how Albion will get on against Millwall this weekend.