West Brom want to sign Ben Nelson as Leicester transfer latest emerges
West Brom are ready to step up their efforts in the transfer window, with less than a week left until the 1 September deadline.
The Baggies seemed to sort out their defence this summer, with Nat Phillips and George Campbell adding depth to the West Brom backline.
However, after Torbjorn Heggem’s exit, supporters have wondered whether Ryan Mason would elect to sign a new defender.
Mason has now turned to Leicester City’s Ben Nelson to add further depth, but doubts remain over whether the Baggies will be able to complete a deal.
West Brom are ‘keen’ on Leicester’s Ben Nelson
Despite their defence being weakened, West Brom banked over £5million with the sale of Heggem, which could come in useful in the coming days.
Caleb Taylor could also leave in the coming days, which would mean a new defender is needed at The Hawthorns.
The Daily Mail has reported in its print edition (27 August, pg 61) that West Brom are keen on Leicester City’s Nelson.
- He was named the Academy Player of the Season at the Leicester City End of Season Awards in 2021
- Nelson made his first-ever league appearance for Leicester City at home against Plymouth Argyle in December 2023
- The 21-year-old scored his first senior goal for the club against Queens Park Rangers in March 2024
The defender had a successful loan spell with Oxford United last season, where he played 17 games and earned himself six England under-20 caps.
West Brom have looked defensively stable in their opening three games, having won two and drawn one, with Phillips a notable figure at the back.
It had been thought that Leicester would be open to letting Nelson leave, given their situation with Financial Fair Play, but recent developments could make a deal trickier.
- Read more: West Brom transfers state of play: Confirmed moves and potential late deals still to be struck
Do Leicester still need to sell players for PSR trouble?
Given Leicester’s financial struggles from their Premier League season, it had been assumed that the Foxes would have to sell heavily this summer.
Leicester have made just one free agent signing and have let go of seven players this summer to balance the books.
That appears to be enough, as according to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett, Leicester no longer need to sell to satisfy PSR, after losing James Justin and Kasey McAteer.
The news will be a worry for West Brom’s hopes of signing Nelson, as the Foxes could hold out for a higher fee for their young star.
However, he has so far been restricted to just one game for Leicester in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield, so he could push for more minutes elsewhere, even in a loan.
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