[ad_pod ]This article is part ofÂFootball FanCast’sÂTransfer FocusÂseries, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…According to Matt Wilson of Express and Star, West Brom are trying to sign Chris Willock from Benfica as the Baggies are linked to a number of wingers on deadline day with the club also closing in on loan moves for Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira.
What’s the word?
Slaven Bilic said following his side’s 2-1 opening day victory over Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest that he wanted four more additions and he may well get his wish if all goes to plan today.
There are only a matter of hours left in the transfer window but West Brom have been linked to Southampton striker Charlie Austin as well as the aforementioned winger trio so it’s clear that the Croatian wants those additional options in attack.
Willock has been plying his trade in Portugal for Benfica – but not their first team – he’s only appeared for their ‘B’ side since joining them in 2017.
He is the brother of Arsenal’s rising star Joe Willock and Matty Willock who plays for League One side Gillingham.
The 21-year-old was formally at the North London club with his brother before joining Benfica on a five-year deal following the expiry of his Arsenal contract.
Questionable moves
If Bilic is truly on the hunt for additions in the wide areas then it raises question marks to why he has allowed one of their promising youth graduates depart the club on loan this summer.
Jonathan Leko has made a temporary switch to Charlton for the remainder of the season, though, he does have a January recall clause within the deal.
The 20-year-old has actually gained experience playing in the Premier League under the Baggies before they were relegated in 2018 and also had a spell at Bristol City on loan in the Championship where he made 11 appearances, assisting one goal.
That’s one player they should be developing instead of bringing in a couple of loans that will only improve them short-term and aid another club in the long run rather than themselves.
Willock hasn’t even managed to break into Benfica’s first-team setup let alone the squad which raises further questions over the standard of football he’s been playing at.
Their activity doesn’t make too much sense in this regard and it may have been a case of leaving it a little too late.
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