West Brom need to pay ‘sizeable fee’ to sign defender loved by Ian Pearce and Mowbray
West Brom are set for a busy summer in the transfer window.
Ryan Mason has finally been appointed as the new manager, ending the search for Tony Mowbray’s successor after he was sacked in April.
Work will now begin on identifying transfer targets for the former Tottenham coach, and Shilen Patel must back him if he is to have any chance of succeeding in the Black Country.
West Brom learn what it would take to sign James Penrice
Hearts defender James Penrice has been heavily linked with a move to The Hawthorns after an impressive campaign in the Scottish Premiership.
Edinburgh News has now reported that the Jambos would need a “sizeable fee” to allow the 26-year-old to leave.
The news outlet states that the Baggies’ head of recruitment, Ian Pearce and ex-boss Mowbray are huge admirers of the left-back.
Mason needs all the help he can get in the West Brom dugout
Mason, as a rookie head coach, will need a lot of help this summer to bring the squad up to scratch after a miserable end to the season.
The Albion missed out on the play-offs after winning just five of Mowbray’s 17 games in charge after Carlos Corberan departed in December.
| Stats (Scottish Premiership) | Penrice |
| Matches | 33 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Minutes played | 2,907 |
If the ex-Spurs coach is to get the West Midlands outfit into the playoffs and have a chance to reach the Premier League for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign, he needs a huge recruitment drive.
He could turn to his connections with the North London club to bring in talented youngsters like Mikey Moore, but he also needs experience, which Penrice would provide.
The Scotsman was a regular for the Edinburgh team this season, featuring 33 times in the league, notching two goals and five assists.
He would be competing for a starting role with Callum Styles, who played 34 matches in the Championship last season, primarily as a makeshift left-back.
If the Throstles can secure Penrice’s services, they may have their long-term future at the position rather than relying on the Hungary international to do a job.
Whether they decide to stump up the required fee remains to be seen.