West Brom: Andreas Weimann and Taylor Gardner-Hickman development in January transfer window update with Bristol City
West Brom will now sign Andreas Weimann on loan from Bristol City during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
Simon Jones reported on the paper’s website on 12 January that the deal will see Taylor Gardner-Hickman, currently on loan at Ashton Gate, move on the opposite direction on a permanent deal.
Weimann, 32, has made 20 appearances in the Championship this season, but less than half have been starts, while he has captained the side the nine times he has made the XI.
He would provide a replacement in Carlos Corberan’s squad for Jeremy Sarmiento, who was recalled by Brighton and sent to Ipswich earlier in the window.
Gardner-Hickman, 22, has made 22 league appearances and had a permanent option worth £1.3million in his loan deal from The Hawthorns this season [Bristol Live, 29 December].
Needs must
It appears to be a measure of the situation that West Brom are in financially, at least until the increasingly imminent takeover gets over the line, that a temporary deal for a 32-year-old is being done while a player who looked to be one for the future departs permanently.
Gardner-Hickman was one of the few bright spots to emerge from the Steve Bruce reign so it is a disappointment that he moves on for such a modest fee.
But with the permanent option already agreed when he left The Hawthorns at the start of the season and Corberan badly needing attacking help there at least looks to be some on the way.
As a former Aston Villa and Wolves man Weimann is now set to tick off his third Midlands rival as he will fill the gap left after Sarmiento’s loan was terminated and long-term injury knocked Matt Phillips out of action.
With the likes of Jed Wallace struggling with fitness and John Swift beset by a mystery problem it is a move that should at least ease the pressure on the forward positions somewhat, although the manager will surely be hoping for further additions during the window.
But with the takeover looking unlikely to be done before the end of the month despite significant developments emerging it is still going to be a risk that other players might leave up until the deadline as the Albion are forced to keep costs reduction as a key consideration.
In other West Brom news, an “excellent” Baggies talent is also being lined up to leave The Hawthorns on a permanent basis.