Reports have emerged that West Brom are interested in signing Egyptian defender, Ali Gabr on loan with a buyback option. Gabr plays for Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League and has been considered for a transfer by Albion for quite some time now.
The 29-year-old is an international teammate of West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi and will be sold by the parent club if their asking price is met by any side. They are reported to be demanding a £750,000 loan fee which should not burn the pockets of a side playing in the Premier League.
Gabr’s career has conjured up domestic football experience and has been capped at international level 12 times. Hegazi has flourished in the English game and is highly rated by the fans at the Hawthorns. However, whether Gabr will enjoy equal success as his compatriot cannot be said for certain.
The Premier League is a huge skip for any player with no experience and more often than not, players fail to live up to their expectation. But it looks like Alan Pardew has no choice but prepare for the exit of his best defender, Jonny Evans to an elite side by the end of January.
West Bromwich Albion are currently struggling in the relegation zone of the Premier League and finally ended their 21-game winless run with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday. Although things are looking positive with two back to back wins in the league and the FA Cup, they are not out of the woods yet. If they want to save their campaign and escape relegation, Alan Pardew needs to infuse some talent and purpose into the team.
After the sacking of Tony Pulis, the Baggies really thought Pardew will be the man to lead them out of this rut, but so far it has not been the case. With a lack of resource, the former Palace manager has struggled to make a significant change into the team. However, maybe with a fresh seed of investment, the fans can hope for an improved second half of the season.
Evans has been linked with almost every top pedigree side with Manchester City as his most likely destination. Losing a defender of his stature will leave a huge gap in the defensive backline, something a relegation riddled side do not need in the last stretch of the campaign. But his transfer fee will provide Pardew with some financial resources to reinvest in making the necessary additions.
