Journalist shares ‘tricky’ contract update on West Brom stars Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt
Lewis Cox has claimed West Brom will be met with difficult decisions to make, with Alex Mowatt and Cedric Kipre’s performances bringing their contract situations to light.
Both players have been regulars in Carlos Corberan’s first team so far this season and have impressed with their displays in the side, but they are set to see their contracts expire at the end of the season.
A decision will need to be made on whether or not they will be handed renewed deals sooner rather than later, with their eye-catching performances making the issue more pressing than many would have expected.
Writing in his column for the Express and Star on 18 October, Cox shared: “I think what their form shows is that just because you are farmed out on loan as a senior player, that does not mean you are done.
“There will always be changes, changes of manager, and from Bruce to Corberan you cannot really get much different.
“The changes have offered both Mowatt and Kipre good lifelines and all of a sudden they are a big part of what Corberan is trying to do right now.
“Both are out of contract in the summer, which is a debate for another day, but if they continue their form throughout the campaign then there could be some tricky decisions to be made.”
Calls will need to be made soon
Mowatt and Kipre are not the only West Brom players who, as things stand, will see their contracts expire come the end of the season, but the way they are playing will force the management to make a quick decision on their long-term futures.
From a financial point of view, it may be difficult to offer improved terms to either player. While there is no guarantee they would be asking for a wage increase, it would provide an opportunity for negotiation both for the players and the club.
It has been well documented that the Baggies need to cut their wage bill down to a more moderate level, with player sales suggested as the main opportunity for this, but contract expirations provide a chance to cut ties with some higher-earning stars.
This is the position Mowatt and Kipre find themselves in. They are playing well enough for new deals to be viable, but it may benefit the club more if they cut ties.
In other West Brom news, a key player has provided a new injury update.