West Brom transfer update: Carlton Palmer tips winner in Andrey Santos race from Chelsea against Sunderland and Hull City
Carlton Palmer has tipped Sunderland to be a “good move” for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos over West Brom during the January window.
The former Baggies midfielder told Football League World (6 January) that new Black Cats boss Michael Beale’s record working with young players as reason for the Brazilian to head to the Stadium of Light.
HITC reported on 3 January that following his fruitless loan at Nottingham Forest during the first half of the campaign West Brom were in the hunt for the 19-year-old next, with Hull City also linked.
Palmer said: “A list of Championship clubs are all keen to take the Brazilian on loan for the second half of the season. That list includes the likes of Sunderland, West Brom and Hull City. They have all expressed an interest in acquiring his services.
“Sunderland would be a good move for him, as Mick Beale likes working with young players and has a good track record of developing them.
“One thing for sure is that Chelsea will want assurances about his game time, wherever they let him go to next.”
Highly-rated
Beale may have a decent record as a youth coach but his recent history as a senior manager leaves plenty to be desired, with little to speak of in terms of developing youngsters during his ill-fated time at Rangers.
Big things are expected of Santos at Stamford Bridge but one late substitute appearance in the Premier League during his time at Forest, and a single start in the Carabao Cup, was a highly-disappointing return.
That experience would require Carlos Corberan to signal a clear intention to give the young central midfielder far greater opportunities in the second tier.
If the West Brom boss would actually plan to do so then there is absolutely a good reason for Chelsea to see The Hawthorns as a sensible next move.
The job that Corberan has done in his time with the club has been fairly spectacular in difficult circumstances, but he hasn’t heavily used loanees such as Jeremy Sarmiento, recalled by Brighton this month.
However, with injured players mounting he might not have much choice but to turn to temporary signings if he can land a couple more this month.
Jayson Molumby has been a regular in midfield but is currently recovering from a fitness issue, while Alex Mowatt and Okay Yokuslu have also featured heavily.
If Corberan can promise Santos game time around that trio in the centre then the possibility of the talented youngster arriving might be viable, but if it is just to make up the numbers then Chelsea might look elsewhere.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies appear to have avoided the threat of fines or a court appearance after a development on Friday.