West Brom spot Rabby Nzingoula bargain potential as Ligue 1 midfielder eyed
West Bromwich Albion may not be done adding in central midfield before the summer transfer window shuts.
James Morrison has just made a major new signing in the form of Felix Horn Myhre to bolster his West Brom engine room, and provide competition for the likes of Alex Mowatt, Ousmane Diakite and Jayson Molumby.
The 27-year-old Norwegian international arrives from Brann, where he'd scored 32 times in 176 competitive appearances since signing there in 2021
We've already seen West Brom explore the French market this summer, with right-back Noah Galves signing from Rodez.
And it would appear as though their recruitment mission across the English Channel isn't complete just yet.
Who else is rivalling West Brom for Rabby Nzingoula?
West Brom have clearly been employing a transfer strategy focused on signing younger, high-potential players in recent windows.
As finances remain tight for the Baggies, creating a consistent production line of selling players on for big profits is the gateway to a self-sustainable business model.
So, it's no surprise to see the latest name linked with a move to The Hawthorns fit that profile as well.
According to a report from Football League World, West Brom are looking into a deal for Strasbourg midfielder Rabby Nzingoula.
The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with German second division side Nurnberg, who reportedly had the option to purchase him for £3.4million at the end of his loan deal, but turned it down.
Swansea City are also explicitly named in the report as being set to rival Albion for his signature.
Nzingoula is only contracted with Strasbourg until next summer, meaning the Ligue 1 outfit may feel inclined to sell him now rather than to risk losing him on a free in a matter of months.
So, with this potential for a bargain deal seemingly interesting West Brom, just what sort of player is Nzingoula and what do his numbers suggest he could bring to B71?
How Nzingoula has shown star potential across European competitions
Despite his tender age, Nzingoula has already racked up 37 career appearances in Ligue 1, and has even played UEFA Conference League football too.
The most Ligue 1 football he's ever played in a single season came in 2024-25, where he turned out 27 times in France's top flight for Montpellier.
As aforementioned, the French youth international spent the second half of last term with Nurnberg, where he scored once and provided two assists in 15 2.Bundesliga games.
Nzingoula is an all-action central midfielder, who is comfortable operating as a six, eight or in the 10, and can even play out wide if required, with his all-round ability proven in his underlying numbers.
As per FotMob, he ranked in the top 1.9 percentile amongst his positional rivals in 2.Bundesliga last term for his 0.40 xG (expected goals) per 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, he also placed in the leading 3.8 per cent for his 0.31 assists per game and the top 2.9 percentile for averaging 0.79 big chances created per 90.
Clearly a midfielder with plenty to offer going forward, Nzingoula also scored amongst the top-performing players in his position for his 2.44 tackles, 5.34 recoveries and 0.76 possessions won in the final third per 90 for Nurnberg.
As for his record in the Conference League with Strasbourg in 2025-26, no player in his position completed more than his 2.26 successful dribbles per game in last season's competition.
On top of that, he also averaged 6.23 recoveries, 2.83 tackles, 2.26 fouls won, 7.36 duels won and 0.57 chances created per game in that competition as well.
Overall then, to be putting up those sorts of competition-leading numbers as a 20-year-old is very impressive indeed, and for potentially a small seven-figure fee, West Brom could just be set to make one of their wisest transfer investments in some time.