Kipre in line for Premier League move 12 months after West Brom exit
Cedric Kipre is set to return to England after leaving The Hawthorns for Stade de Reims.
The defender made 59 appearances for West Brom before leaving last summer, but his season in France did not go to plan as Reims were relegated.
The Red and Whites were comfortably a mid-table team in Ligue 1 before Kipre’s arrival, so their collapse was surprising.
The 28-year-old’s performances, however, appear to have attracted enough interest to ensure that he won’t have to play in Ligue 2 next season.
Kipre wanted by Sunderland ahead of their Premier League return
West Brom are actively searching for defenders of their own in the transfer window.
Newly appointed manager, Ryan Mason, will look to fill the gap left by the departing Semi Ajayi, after it was confirmed that the Albion would not be renewing his contract.
Kipre is also likely to move in the summer, with several European clubs interested in the Ivorian.
According to reports from Africafoot (31 May), Sunderland are among those interested in securing the towering defender’s signature.
| Cedric Kipre | Ligue 1 stats (2024/25) |
| Appearences | 28 |
| Starts | 26 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Interceptions per game | 1.1 |
| Tackles per game | 1.5 |
| Balls recovered per game | 2.6 |
| Clearences per game | 5.7 |
Kipre is rumoured to cost around £2.5million, so could be a bargain pick-up.
His top-flight experience in France, along with many years of playing English football, could be beneficial for a newly promoted side like Sunderland.
West Brom could enquire about Kipre
With Kipre’s price tag being relatively cheap, West Brom may look to tempt the defender back to The Hawthorns.
The Baggies made attempts to renew Kipre’s contract before he left to join Reims on a free transfer.
However, if there are offers of Premier League football on the table, it would naturally be hard for West Brom to convince Kipre to return to the Black Country.
Albion supporters online have heard the news about Kipre potentially leaving Reims, with many wanting to see him return to their club.
Whether Mason feels a move for Kipre is a realistic one is yet to be seen as West Brom begin preparations for the new season.