By Anthony Onifade

17th Nov, 2023 | 1:10pm

Carlton Palmer shares reaction to 'crazy' Tom Fellows contract situation at West Brom as transfer exit news emerges

Carlton Palmer cannot believe West Brom have left themselves in a “difficult” position on Tom Fellows’ future at the club with the January transfer window just weeks away.

Daily Mail reported on 11 November that Leicester and Southampton are both interested in signing the young winger, but the club’s prospective new owners are determined not to lose their star academy product and tie him down to a new contract.

And the BBC pundit, speaking to Football League World (17 November) believes West Brom must do everything in their power to keep him at The Hawthorns but the fact that his contract runs out next summer given his “talented” abilities is “crazy”.

He said: “Tom Fellows, West Brom’s talented young forward, is attracting attention from elsewhere.

“West Brom are working hard to get Tom to commit to a new long-term contract and are hopeful of doing so.

“Tom’s contract expires in the summer – I can’t understand why West Brom have put themselves in such a difficult position before the January transfer window, it’s just crazy.

Before he commits to a new long-term contract, I’m sure Tom will want assurances about much-needed game time.

“West Bromwich Albion need to do everything in their power to get him to sign a new contract – failing that they need to sell him in the January transfer window, which would be a huge blow for the club given he has come through the youth ranks and the academy and the money that’s been invested in him.

“I really can’t believe that clubs are still at this moment in time are not securing the services of talented young players on long contracts, and then putting themselves in the position that WBA have currently done.”

Baffling

West Brom are currently in a situation of financial limbo as the Baggies wait to see when and if a potential takeover occurs before signing their players up to new contracts or adding to their squad in the January transfer window.

But they are certainly now left dealing with the repercussions of their financial position with top clubs now circling for one of their most prized academy assets.

The reported interest from two of the Championship’s biggest sides should ensure that West Brom move to tie Fellows down sooner rather than later, as both clubs are financially equipped to test Albion’s resolve and tempt the 20-year-old away from The Hawthorns which would be disastrous.

Fellows is yet to get his first team career up and running properly, but Corberan has been vocal in his praise for the winger and he has impressed during his brief Championship cameos, with his talent and ability clear to see.

If the Baggies hold aspirations to be a Premier League club, they cannot allow clubs to hold the power over them when it comes to attracting their most prestigious talents because of their financial position. It could be catastrophic to their future.

Hopefully, West Brom will be able to beat off the interest and keep one of their brightest talents at The Hawthorns, regardless of a much-needed transfer fee. The talent and potential of Fellows is bigger than the short-term gains.

In other West Brom news, Carlos Corberan shared what gives his side the edge in tight games.