BBC journalist shares West Brom 'fire sale' update amid new funding development at The Hawthorns

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Published on:

29 Nov 2023, 2:40 am

BBC Sport journalist Steve Hermon has shared details on what he has been told regarding possible West Brom player sales in the January transfer window.

Albion announced on Monday (27 November) they have taken out another loan via MSD Holdings, whom they borrowed £20million from last December.

That has led to concerns any takeover at The Hawthorns could be some way off completion, but Hermon does not believe that necessarily means players will be sold in the new year.

"Carlos Corberan has created a real togetherness amongst his playing squad, but the reality is, regardless of any takeover, there is still the need to lower the wage bill," Hermon told BBC Sport [27 November].

"That could see some of their talented players leave in the January transfer window, but I'm told there is no need for a fire sale and the club won't entertain silly offers for their stars."

Concerning

News of a further loan being taken out was hailed as "great news" by some, but that does not really appear to be the case on the face of it.

Any money borrowed under the Lai Guochuan leadership will have to be paid back by whoever eventually take over at The Hawthorns.

This undisclosed payment will help keep West Brom ticking over until talks are concluded with one of the interested parties.

It must also be remembered that the money must be paid back with interest over a four-year period, so the debts are literally rising by the day.

What is worrying is that a high number of players are out of contract in the summer, so January is the last chance to claim a fee for them.

Had the Baggies been stuck in mid-table, you would expect a couple of those to have been moved on if the new owners are not in place.

However, as long as promotion is still a realistic prospect - and there is no reason why that will not be the case - those players should stay on.

This is quite clearly not a sustainable approach, though, so the sooner Lai is replaced the better.

In other West Brom news, Chris Lepkowski says a recent story in the national press regarding Albion "made me laugh".

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