West Brom: Action for Albion share contract news following takeover at The Hawthorns
Ali Jones of Action for Albion has claimed West Brom are likely to get rid of any players with expensive Premier League legacy contracts this summer following the takeover.
Kyle Bartley and Matt Phillips were name-dropped as players on big money that the club would “certainly” not want to stick around on their current wages.
However, it has been suggested that they could agree to a contract extension on heavily reduced terms given their ages, with both Bartley and Phillips now 32 years old.
Speaking on the Albion Analysis podcast [19 February], Jones shared: “There’ll be a transformation in the summer whatever happens because we can’t sustain 120% of wage versus turnover.
“The good news is the legacy contracts for Premier League level where we’ve got players on £35,000+ per week, they’ll be gone in the main. So there will be a natural wastage.
“Kyle Bartley and Matt Phillips, I use these two as a testament, there might be questions about their football ability and availability over the season, would you want to have them?
“Well, you certainly wouldn’t want to have them on the money they’re on now, but there might be an option where they know at 30+ they’re never going to get that money anywhere. We might be able to get an extension out of these players on considerably reduced wages.”
Will players be awarded new contracts after the West Brom takeover?
With several Albion players’ contracts set to expire at the end of the current season, Shilen Patel has plenty of work to do, both to cut the wage bill and to extend the deals of those they want to stick around.
Cedric Kipre has been one player touted for a new deal after his recent performances, with Carlos Corberan confirming talks are underway about an offer for the defender.
Tom Fellows, meanwhile, has already signed a new deal to keep him at The Hawthorns amid interest from Everton, while Bartley has also been tipped to earn a new deal due to his place in the squad.
However, it has been widely reported and is expected, that several players will be let go when their contracts come to an end in a bid to ease concerns over the wage bill, especially if Albion remain in the Championship.
In other West Brom news, Zac Ashworth has a bright future at The Hawthorns.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.