Carlos Corberan confirms West Brom talks with Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt
West Brom are in talks with Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt over the possibility of extending their expiring contracts, Carlos Corberan has confirmed.
The Baggies boss spoke after the 2-0 win over Cardiff City on 13 February to reveal that discussions were being had from above with the pair but he was not involved himself.
Corberan indicated that the club are trying to find out if the exit-bound players they want to keep have the same objectives when, come the end of the season, the likes of Kyle Bartley, Matt Phillips and Adam Reach will also be out of contract.
Corberan said of Mowatt and Kipre, via Express & Star: “It is something I know the club is having conversations with them, to see if the club’s targets – with the players we want, want to keep working with us so that in both parts we have the desire to keep working together.
“Important too is the financial expectation of the players is the same as the financial possibilities of the club. Those are the two things that need to be managed.
“But I know the club is having conversation with the players, we know many finish the contracts and I think it’s something in the next weeks or months will happen.
“But I am not having the conversation as it is not one of my targets as the coach. I work very aligned with the club, but I am not managing any type of conversation.”
Corberan confirms West Brom in talks with key pair over Hawthorns deals
It will come as a surprise to nobody that the Albion are in a delicate position when it comes to making decisions on the playing staff.
Financially the room to manoeuvre isn’t thought to be much at all, and while young sensation Tom Fellows was successfully locked into a new deal it is likely going to be impossible to extend everyone whose contract is inside the final months.
Where there is interest from elsewhere it is also fairly likely that there will be more money on offer to move so buy-in from the players will surely be crucial.
And the club will have to choose those who will provide the best return on investment as their priorities and likely make peace with exits either way.
With the likes of Kipre, Bartley and Mowatt they are regulars in Corberan’s line up and the Spaniard has proven to be capable of getting more out of them than his predecessors.
The takeover situation has the potential to change the picture significantly but West Brom may still be relying on a connection to the project at The Hawthorns to see off rival offers if they are to keep hold of some of the key veterans, as sell-on value is unlikely to be significant.
In other West Brom news, alarm bells are ringing over Shilen Patel’s takeover after a contract offer emerged.
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