Okay Yokuslu plays a role as worrying West Brom transfer drama starts to unfold post-deadline
Ex-West Brom star Okay Yokuslu is revealed to have been behind late attempts to lure Mikey Johnston away from The Hawthorns.
Johnston has been having a better season for West Brom, after somewhat of a down year in 2024-25.
As such, heading into Monday’s transfer deadline day, there will have been some nervous Baggies fans hoping that he wouldn’t be poached away from them, given their current league struggles.
It turned out to be an eventful final few hours of the window, too, with Samuel Iling-Junior being recalled by Aston Villa, as well as Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba joining on loan from Villa, too.
Okay Yokuslu tried to weaken West Brom on deadline day
As it so happened, West Brom fans’ worst deadline nightmares regarding Johnston almost came true.
Trabzonspor reportedly made a late move for Johnston on Monday, but it’s understood that the player himself rebuffed that interest, instead wanting to help Albion in their relegation battle.
Former West Brom star Yokuslu currently plies his trade for the Turkish outfit, having left The Hawthorns to sign for them in the summer of 2024.
During his time in B71, the combative central midfielder became a real fan favourite amongst Baggies supporters and proved himself to be a top-quality player at Championship level.
However, he almost put a dampener on his relationship with the Albion faithful on deadline day, as it’s been suggested by Trabzonspor reporter Ezgi Alp that Yokuslu played a big role in trying to convince Johnston to leave.
This might not be the end of the story either, as Turkey’s transfer window doesn’t close until this Friday, meaning Yokuslu and Trabzonspor could yet return for another try this week.
Yokuslu has proven he’s close to Johnston before
The bonds formed in football dressing rooms are often tightly woven and long-lasting, and when players move between clubs, they can often go on recruitment missions to bring comrades along with them.
So, whilst some West Brom fans may feel slightly hurt by Yokuslu’s apparent intention to help steal away Albion’s prized asset, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Especially considering Yokuslu wished Johnston all the best when the winger signed for West Brom permanently from Celtic in the summer of 2024, and so they evidently have a close relationship.
Stay ahead of the action — subscribe to West Brom News on Substack for more exclusive insights and match-day analysis.