Gary Lineker slams ‘ludicrous’ West Brom transfer news he’s just seen
Gary Lineker has slammed the “ludicrous” nature of the transfer window following Lewis Dobbin’s loan move from Aston Villa to West Brom.
The pundit addressed the signing on The Rest Is Football podcast [9 August, 25m 35s], when questioned on the approach from Premier League sides this summer to adhering to Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Albion confirmed the signing of Dobbin on a season-long loan from West Midlands rivals Villa on 6 August, after the youngster signed for the Villans from Everton earlier this summer, with Tim Iroegbunam arriving at Goodison Park in a separate deal.
Lineker said: “I’ve just seen that Lewis Dobbin, who Villa signed for £19million earlier this window from Everton as part of a merry-go-round, has been loaned to West Brom. It kind of highlights the fact that it’s a bit ludicrous.”
West Brom are the beneficiaries of Aston Villa PSR deal
The politics surrounding the Dobbin deal will be of no concern for West Brom fans as their side secured a much-needed addition to their front line.
The 21-year-old debuted off the bench in the 3-1 win against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday’s (10 August) opening day of the 2024/25 Championship season.
A Josh Maja hat-trick ensured the Baggies secured all three points to start the new campaign, but Carlos Corberan will need all the firepower he can get his hands on if his side are to make another promotion challenge this season.
Dobbin featured 12 times for Everton in the Premier League last term and scored his first and only top-flight goal in the 2-0 win against Chelsea in December.
Corberan still has little depth in the striker department with Brandon Thomas-Asante departing The Hawthorns for Coventry City and Daryl Dike recovering from an injury sustained last season.
There was an air of doom and gloom surrounding the club ahead of the new season after Corberan admitted this was the biggest challenge of his managerial career amid a string of poor performances throughout pre-season.
The win over QPR will help lift the spirits and restore faith in the man that guided the side to a fifth-place finish last term.
Lineker and Co. can squabble over the intricacies of PSR but West Brom have gained an experienced Premier League striker to aid their promotion hopes this season, in a deal that could prove invaluable at the end of the season.
In other West Brom news, an “important” exit has been allowed this summer despite Corberan being a huge fan.
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