Looking ahead to the summer transfer window, West Brom could land a West Ham star to get their business kick-started.
The Baggies recently missed out on Championship play-off qualification due to a dismal end to the season and will be desperate to avoid a similar scenario unfolding again next campaign. First and foremost, appointing the new head coach to replace Tony Mowbray is the most important decision to get right, but the transfer business isn’t far behind.
Albion’s pockets are expected to be filled somewhat by the likely sale of winger Tom Fellows to the Premier League - perhaps raking in upwards of £15 million - but the transfer budget certainly won’t be endless. Any business carried out must be shrewd and well thought-out, with the free agents market potentially one of the best routes to success.
West Brom swoop for West Ham stalwart makes perfect sense
One player the Baggies should try to sign on a free transfer, in our opinion, is the outgoing West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell. Albion currently have Callum Styles at left-back but Cresswell, if acquired, could be a brilliant upgrade or, at the very least, suitable competition.
Announced to be leaving the London Stadium following 11 superb years of service, Cresswell is currently on the search for his next club. The three-time former England international, who turns 36 in December, recently confirmed he’s planning on continuing for a while longer yet.
"First and foremost I'm definitely carrying on, there's no doubt about that. I still feel like I've got a lot to offer on and off the pitch," Cresswell said. "Towards the back end of the season I've managed to play a lot of games under the new manager (Graham Potter), whether that's at left-back or left side of a three.
"I'm 35 now and the older I've got the more you realise how important experienced players are. We've got some young boys coming through at West Ham now and I try and help them in any way I can. Let's see what happens in the summer,” Cresswell hinted.
Although West Brom are yet to be formally linked with signing the veteran defender, it surely cannot be beyond the realms of possibility that he’s at least considered. If he’s not being looked at by Albion, it could be a real mistake as there’s still a low-level Premier League player in there.
Yes, Cresswell’s physical attributes are bound to get progressively worse as he heads further into his mid-thirties, but age won’t revoke him of his technical ability, something he has in abundance. In his prime, there weren’t many players in the Premier League who could swing in a better cross on their left boot than Cresswell; he was - and still could be - excellent.
It’s been over a decade since Cresswell played in the Championship, so a drop down to the second tier may require some convincing. West Brom would probably be able to guarantee plenty of starts, though, and the prospect of being in a team vying for promotion is bound to have at least some allure. Let’s see if Albion are on a similar wavelength.
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