After Matt Phillips’ development, Mark Miles might approve West Brom sells in January to finance a transfer blitz.
After suffering yet another devastating injury setback this week, West Brom may be in for a hectic January transfer window, and club president Mark Miles may be compelled to make changes.
Carlos Corberan, the manager of Albion, stated on the team’s official website on Wednesday, December 6, that he anticipates Baggies forward Matt Phillips will be sidelined for approximately four months.
The likelihood that Phillips, 32, would miss the whole holiday season already appeared dire enough when he hobbled off during the weekend’s 2-1 loss to Leicester City, but the situation has turned out to be much worse than anticipated.
It is yet another setback for the versatile attacker, as well as for Corberan, who has been forced to chop and change his squad on numerous occasions this season, particularly in attack, due to a number of key injuries.
With the exception of Brandon Thomas-Asante, every member of Corberan‘s offensive unit has been sidelined due to injury this season, leaving the Spaniard bare bones at times.
Winger Jed Wallace is now out with a shoulder injury sustained in the win over Cardiff, but he should be back in time for next week’s game against Stoke City, while towering striker Daryl Dike is still a few weeks away from returning after suffering a catastrophic Achilles injury in April.
Corberan has done miracles with a significantly smaller roster than his opponents, which is undoubtedly due to the financial constraints the club is currently facing as a result of majority stakeholder Guochuan Lai‘s debt repayments and the need for the club to cut the wage bill.
There is also some ambiguity around any potential takeover at The Hawthorns.
Due to these difficulties, the Baggies have been unable to acquire as many players as they would want, yet in order to spend, they would almost definitely need to sell some of its marketable assets and marginal players.
Baggies CEO Miles stated in June (Express and Star, 22 June) that the club may need to sell some stars in order to compete in the future.
BBC Sport writer Steve Hermon (27 November) gave information about prospective West Brom player sales in the January transfer window.
“Carlos Corberan has created a real togetherness amongst his playing squad, but the reality is, regardless of any takeover, there is still the need to lower the wage bill,” Hermon told BBC Sport [27 November]. “That could see some of their talented players leave in the January transfer window, but I’m told there is no need for a fire sale and the club won’t entertain silly offers for their stars.” The Baggies certainly won’t be entertaining any “silly” offers but there are players in the squad who aren’t as vital to Corberan as expected that could be worth some cash which Miles could certainly give the green light for possible sales.
West Brom admit they “must consider serious offers” for anyone in the team in January, according to Birmingham Live on December 2nd.
Martin Kelly, Caleb Taylor, Tedd Cann, Jayson Molumby, and Adam Reach are a few names who could be released to make room on the payroll.
Some players presently on loan, such as Karlan Grant and Jamie Andrews, may not have a future under Corberan upon their return and may be sold to generate revenue.
Grady Diangana has been the subject of much speculation and gossip over a prospective exit in order for the Baggies to produce a significant cash boost, but given his impact and influence on Corberan‘s promotion hopes, that appears practically impossible.
West Brom may be cash-strapped right now, but there are players on the outskirts of Corberan’s team who may be released by the Spaniard and Miles to fund a much-needed January signing blitz.
It could be the deciding factor in their Premier League comeback hopes.
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