(Credit: Imago and Getty Images)

Why West Brom might have to sell Torbjorn Heggem - and it's all thanks to Guochuan Lai

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

08 Aug 2025, 2:30 am

Torbjorn Heggem’s future at West Brom is in doubt this summer after an impressive first campaign at the Black Country club.

The centre-back quickly established himself as one of the best players at The Hawthorns and won West Brom’s Player of the Season award in the last campaign.

However, this form has been quickly noticed, with Bologna interested in signing Heggem.

Ryan Mason has since slapped an £8.6 million asking price on the defender, but the Baggies may reluctantly have to sell the 26-year-old.

Heggem was outstanding for West Brom last season (Credit: Imago)

Heggem sale may be needed to boost West Brom’s financial position

Under previous owner Guochuan Lai, West Brom were in an awful spot.

The Chinese investor oversaw a massive decline at the Baggies, with their mid-table Premier League finishes becoming a thing of the past, as they slumped into the Championship.

On top of this, West Brom’s finances were awful, with the Black Country club making numerous shady deals.

Lai was subject to heavy criticism and protests during his time at West Brom

While Shilen Patel has attempted to rectify this, the Baggies’ spending power is still weak compared to some of their Championship rivals.

As a result, according to The Telegraph (7 August), a Heggem sale could help rectify this and would boost West Brom’s financial position.

Read more: Which Tottenham player is the ideal Heggem replacement

Guochuan Lai was heavily criticised during his time at West Brom.

Mason should seriously consider Heggem sale

If West Brom were to get around £8m for Heggem, and if those funds were to be reinvested, it could be the difference between promotion and relegation.

£8m could allow the Baggies to bring in three or four top players, and help to massively increase their quality in depth.

West Brom's signings so far this summer

Nat Phillips

Aune Heggebo

George Campbell

West Brom have only brought in three players so far this summer

West Brom could afford to let Heggem go too, with Mason already signing two centre-backs this summer in Nat Phillips and George Campbell.

Hopefully, if the sale of the 26-year-old is completed, the manager has targets lined up that he wants to pursue.

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Guochuan Lai

Torbjorn Heggem