After the Premier League announced the new dates for the 2020 summer transfer window, spanning from 27th July to 5th October, Albion will have just 10 weeks to strengthen their squad for their new campaign in the top flight. The main objective for the club has to be Premier League survival.
Slaven Bilic and Luke Dowling’s recruitment thus far has been excellent when you consider the fees paid for Charlie Austin £4m, Romaine Sawyers £3m, Semi Ajayi and Darnell Furlong £1.5m and Kamil Grosiki £800k.
Bilic’s European expertise and use of the loan market has also seen him bring in Matheus Pereira, who will become an Albion player for just £9 million. As well as Grady Diangana, Filip Krovinovic and Callum Robinson.
This list includes players who have already shown what they can offer in the famous blue and white stripes, as well as those who have been targeted to help strengthen Albion in key areas they have lacked in this season.
#1 Grady Diangana – £20m
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 22 year-old took the Championship by storm in his debut season. On loan from West Ham, the winger amassed eight goals and six assists, in 31 appearances.
Diangana’s loan contract with the club was extended to a full season loan in January after Albion supplemented the initial loan fee. It’s led to believe that during these contract negotiations West Ham and Albion both agreed that a similar deal could be struck next season should Albion get promoted.
However, if Albion want to sign Diangana permanently it will cost the club in the region of £20m after West Ham rejected a bid of £15m in January.
Whatever they decide they will have to move quickly as Celtic, Ajax Newcastle and Everton have also been watching the winger, who is undoubtedly ready to do it in the Premier League.
#2 Filip Krovinovic – £9m
Embed from Getty ImagesThe little Croatian has really made an impression since joining West Brom in the summer 2019 window. On the field, he grew into his role as an advanced ball playing midfielder, scoring key goals notably against Millwall and Blackburn after the turn of the year. Off the field, he’s become a fans favourite through use of his social media and special relationship with Matheus Pereira.
Albion paid £800k for Krovinovic with an extra £200k heading to Benfica after the Baggies sealed promotion.
Reports coming out of Portugal say that Benfica are aware Albion want their man, and although no talks have officially started, they would be willing to make the move permanent for around £9m.
Could Krovinovic’s style be better suited in the Premier League? The fans certainly think so.
#3 Callum Robinson – £6m
Embed from Getty ImagesBrought into the squad in January after Diangana’s repetitive hamstring injury, Robinson’s work ethic and direct style of play made him a first team regular.
He registered three goals and two assists in 10 starts for the Baggies, the most significant of those coming in the final game of the season, a 2-2 draw with QPR. Robinson bagged a goal and an assist ensuring Albion returned to the top flight.
Callum has shown versatility this season playing as a left forward and as a lone striker — two areas that need to be bolstered in the summer.
Robinson’s future is not certain at his parent club Sheffield United, as manager Chris Wilder has said,
There are always decisions at this part of the season that clubs have to make in terms of structure of the squad and Callum is our player and we will deal with that accordingly.
Via Sheffield United News
However, in his TV interview after the QPR game Robinson said,
Obviously the plan is my team is Sheffield United, but I have to wait to see what happens, but in the summer, in my head I’ll be going back to Sheffield United.
Sheffield United only signed Robinson in 2019 but he’s had little game time, scoring just once in nine Premier League appearances. They paid around £7m for the Irish International. It is estimated Albion would need to pay in the region of £6m for his signature.
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