Don Goodman questions Tom Fellows transfer valuation at West Brom
West Brom supporters’ valuation of Tom Fellows is wide of the mark, according to former player Don Goodman.
Fellows was linked with an £11million switch to Premier League side Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window [Football Insider, 29 August], but the move did not go through.
Around the time of that speculation, a number of Albion fans argued that the club should be holding out for around double that fee for the talented attacker.
While Goodman is a big fan of Fellows, he does not believe the youngster should be valued in that region just yet.
“You can’t fail but to be impressed by Tom Fellows in every way,” Goodman told West Brom News. “Before a ball was kicked this season, I predicted he’d have a big season, bigger than last season – and he had a very good season last season.
“But transfer fees are all subjective – some players get overpriced and overpaid, while others don’t get enough. If I can’t put a true value on Fellows, other football supporters will have the same struggles.
“So to say £20m is simply fans plucking a figure out of the air rather than truly assessing the situation.
“With Fellows you’re paying for potential – that’s all it is at the minute until he repeats last season and then does so again. But it’s brilliant potential and there’s no doubt he has a big future in the game.”
West Brom the best place for Tom Fellows
Fellows may have secretly been a little disappointed not to have got his Premier League move last month amid all the speculation.
However, given he is just 21 years of age, there is no need for the youngster to rush his development at the start of what is going to be an exciting career.
The England Under-21s international will play in the top flight – of that there is no doubt. The hope, of course, is he does so with West Brom.
For that to happen, the Baggies realistically have to be promoted either this season or the year after.
It must be remembered that Fellows signed a three-and-a-half year contract extension in January, meaning he is tied down until the summer of 2028.
Albion are therefore under no pressure to sell one of their prized assets, and a player is ultimately only worth as much as a buying club is willing to pay.
The £20m figure is a tad excessive at this stage, but West Brom will see no reason to sell him right now unless a fee in that region is offered.
In other West Brom news, Goodman is excited about news regarding Mikey Johnston at The Hawthorns.
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