HITC understands that West Brom are currently monitoring the prospects of Bradford City youngster, Jeremie Milambo. The 17-year-old has been impressing for the club’s U18 side and was even called up for the development squad last year.
The scout reports rate Milambo highly who is primarily a left-back. Burnley and Sunderland are reported to be interested as well and Bradford might have to start entertaining offers from the big boys.
Sunderland might be in the loop for now but a relegation drop to the League One and levelling out with City will severely hurt their chances of landing the starlet. Burnley seems to be the most illustrious out of the three options but Albion should not be ruled out.
The Baggies are dangerously close to relegation as well and they could benefit from a bit of investment next summer. When the team does become a Championship team, it is expected that at least a few of the big names will make the probable club exit. Salomon Rondon, Craig Dawson and Ben Foster, to name a few.
This will, in turn, open up a lot of space for younger and cheaper players. Maybe Milambo can be the high profile understudy of Kieran Gibbs in the left-back position.
They might do well with a bit of youthful exuberance in the team. Both Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis has found it hard to readjust some of the veteran players and their departure will open up a whole spectrum of possibilities.
The Hawthorns based club have undergone an absolutely horrific season in the top-flight. They are 10-points behind the safety zone and the ship seems to have sunk completely.
With 8 games left, survival is still mathematically possible but does not have favourable odds. Clearly, the team is far too demoralized to bridge that continental gap.
Therefore, in anticipation of the inevitable, maybe it is best for the club ownership to draw up plans for the 2018/19 season. Resurrection is not impossible.
Take a look at Newcastle United for example. They too got relegated from the Premier League after a season in the Championship they are back to their usual self in the English top-flight.
Granted, some restructuring might be required and this transfer rumour is the perfect way to start things off. Now they need to start targeting more influential players on the offensive end while still maintaining the defensive structure that Pulis has left behind.
