West Brom to make Reyes Cleary transfer decision after what Lewis Cox said
West Brom will surely be looking to offload Reyes Cleary given his struggles on loan at Walsall, which has left his Baggies prospects in question.
The striker impressed in youth football and has made a handful of first-team appearances but his loan spell in League Two has not gone to plan with only three appearances, all from the bench, and now out of the matchday squad.
While the 20-year-old has been given first-team opportunities for the Baggies, these chances have been limited and the club may well find themselves compelled to sell the 20-year-old instead.
Journalist Lewis Cox alluded to this himself as when asked about Cleary’s prospects under Carlos Corberan, he told the Express and Star [22 November]: “Where does it leave his Albion prospects? You know we’re talking about someone you know is it 20, turning 21 I think? You’d have liked to have seen him, what he can do I think at club level this season with a view to can he then look towards League One and a step-up loan?
“Obviously the gulf between the divisions, certainly the top sides in the divisions and lesser so sides, is huge in these levels and when we’re talking about Albion being the top end of the Championship and Cleary’s prospects. At the moment, at the time of speaking like things can change can’t they? He could end up in the Walsall side very easily due to injuries and go on a run but at the moment does it look particularly rosy for him? I’m not so sure.”
West Brom not the place for Cleary to shine
Although Cleary has impressed at youth level for the Baggies that can only give you so much credit and with him unable to hit the ground running at Walsall, it leaves questions about what he can achieve at the Hawthorns.
There is an element of unluckiness when it comes to his loan spell with the Saddlers who are sitting fourth in the league at the moment because it has left opportunities for minutes limited for the striker because of his competition doing so well.
However, the fact that Mat Sadler is leaving him out of the matchday squad, suggests that he is not doing enough on the training ground to show his full potential at the League Two club.
What’s more, with West Brom sitting comfortably at the top end of the Championship and looking towards a push for promotion to the Premier League, Cleary would have a real job on his hands trying to force his way into Carlos Corberan’s Championship side.
Therefore, it would make sense for the club to sell now, which would hopefully give him a chance to join another club and show what he can do at a first-team level.
It feels as though a fresh start could be best for both parties.
In other West Brom news, a decision on Karlan Grant is set to be made by Carlos Corberan ahead of the Oxford United clash.
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