West Brom news round-up: Bartley future in doubt as Cardiff City player joins
West Brom are continuing to compete in the transfer market, as Ryan Mason looks to build a side capable of a promotion charge this summer.
The Baggies are looking like more of a transformed team with each pre-season friendly, but a couple more signings certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Below, we evaluate the most important transfer headlines of the last 24 hours.
Devante Cole looks set to stay at The Hawthorns
Devante Cole was signed from Barnsley last summer as a back-up striker, but he has struggled to deal with the step up to the Championship.
Cole managed one goal in 18 appearances for the Baggies last season, and the club is open to selling him.
The problem is, no clubs have made a bid for the Jamaican. There has been reported interest in Cole from League One clubs, but that hasn’t led to any offers.
As things stand, it looks like he will be remaining at The Hawthorns.
Baggies ready to fight for Liverpool youngster McConnell
West Brom are interested in arranging a loan deal for youngster James McConnell.
The Midlands club have been urged to act on this interest fast, as several other Championship teams are lining up an offer.
Ipswich and Derby County are expected to rival the Baggies for this loan signing. McConnell is currently nursing a minor injury that prevented him from joining Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Bartley future in doubt due to fitness problems
Kyle Bartley is unlikely to be a regular starter for West Brom this season.
New manager Mason has signed Nat Phillips and George Campbell this summer, and both centre-halves are expected to be ahead of Bartley in the pecking order. With Torbjorn Heggem also more highly favoured, that will leave Bartley struggling for minutes.
However, club insiders believe that Bartley could struggle to seal a move away from West Brom, due to his age and injury problems.
West Brom women sign Cardiff midfielder Kehoe
West Brom’s women’s team will also be expected to indulge in a promotion fight this season.
Their chances of doing that have been boosted by the signing of Cardiff City midfielder Molly Kehoe.
The 20-year-old hails from the Cayman Islands and should help to add a goalscoring threat to the team’s midfield. This signing will be completed subject to international clearance.
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