West Brom ready to fix real issue for Mason as Tasker talks underway
West Brom have enjoyed a busy transfer window, with new boss Ryan Mason making several impressive new additions to the squad.
The signings of Nat Phillips and Aune Heggebo are arguably the pick of the bunch, but Mason’s squad still looks light in some areas.
Darnell Furlong has made the right-back position his own over the last five years, but this is still seen as a position where the squad could be strengthened.
That’s why Mason’s side have now opened talks with 19-year-old Brighton full-back Charlie Tasker.
Tasker being hunted by West Brom
Tasker hasn’t made a competitive appearance for Brighton’s first team, but he has caught the eye in this summer’s pre-season friendlies and is seen as a star of the future.
Based on his pre-season performances, he could provide good competition for Furlong at right-back if he moved to the Hawthorns.
SportsBOOM (29 July) reports that West Brom and Stoke City are both hoping to sign Tasker on a season-long loan.
Fulham and Wolves have supposedly shown interest in signing him permanently, but Brighton are in no mood to sell a player that they have high hopes for.
A loan move to The Hawthorns could give Tasker the experience to continue his development, while filling a gap in the Baggies squad. It would be a win-win for everyone involved.
Tasker could be perfect addition to ease concerns over right-back position
Furlong has played under several managers during his time at The Hawthorns and always come out as the first choice, but there are concerns about what the Baggies will do if he becomes unavailable.
Torbjorn Heggem is a versatile defender, but Mason prefers him as a centre-back, and it’s likely he’ll be paired with Phillips in the centre of the Baggies’ defence.
So, there’s no obvious understudy to Furlong who’s as capable as him, both on and off the ball.
That’s where the interest in Tasker comes in.
The youngster is:
- Tall and strong
- Great in the air
- Comfortable on the ball,
- Willing to bomb forward.
He stands little chance of breaking into the first team at Brighton this year, despite his impressive performances in pre-season, so he would likely be thrilled at the opportunity to compete with Furlong for a place in West Brom’s back four.
A loan deal for Tasker would be a low-risk option that could turn out to be a real coup if the youngster lives up to his potential.
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