Bob Taylor claims James Morrison personally sounded out new West Brom signing

Bob Taylor has spoken about West Bromwich Albion's transfer business in a rare interview after a busy start to the window.

The Baggies aren't waiting around this summer and have already moved to bring in four fresh faces.

Ousmane Diakite, Callum Styles and Max O'Leary have also put pen to paper on new deals.

Plenty of business was always going to be required after such a frustrating campaign at The Hawthorns.

It appears that James Morrison has taken responsibility on his shoulders to bring in new talent that Albion so desperately need.

Taylor has suggested that the new gaffer even went on a personal scouting mission to bring in Barney Stewart this summer.

Bob Taylor shares his expectations for Barney Stewart

There was always going to be a need for new forward options in B71 this summer.

Daryl Dike has been let go after four injury hit years in the Midlands, while Josh Maja is yet to agree to new terms.

That leaves the door open for new forwards to come in and the Baggies have swooped early to bring in Stewart from Falkirk.

The 22-year-old has already signed at The Hawthorns and it appears that Morrison personally wanted to sign him.

Speaking on BBC Radio WM on Wednesday, Taylor suggested that the head coach went to Scotland to keep tabs on the forward before signing him this summer.

He said: "We've got a guy from Falkirk. Jimmy [Morrison] must know him, he went up to Scotland, he's looked at him, he must have some faith in this young kid.

"Hopefully, he's a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net, but also develop as a striker and work within the team's structure itself."

The numbers behind James Morrison's decision to sign Stewart

Falkirk were certainly one of the surprise packages of the Scottish Premiership season.

They were only promoted in 2025 and still managed to secure themselves a sixth place finish in the top flight.

That is thanks in part to Stewart who scored 10 and assisted two in all competitions for the Bairns.

He featured across 17 Premiership games at 22 years old and racked up 40 shots in that time.

Stewart created 14 chances for his teammates as well, while proving himself as a physical force upfront.

His 84 successful duels will certainly have caught the eye, especially with Morrison watching him closely.

The Baggies boss has clearly seen something in the Scot and there will be hope he can be the future of the forward line in B71.