As has been widely reported today, West Brom seem to have been in contact with Wigan Athletic over the availability of Cédric Kipré. Here is what we know about the deal and what Kipré could bring to the Albion.

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Kipré was supposedly in talks with Blackburn after they tabled a bid of around £900,000 but the Baggies seem to have hijacked that deal by offering the chance of Premier League football.

The centre-back was brought to Wigan from Scottish side Motherwell in 2018, having previously been part of both PSG and Leicester City’s academies. He has also been capped at youth level for the Ivory Coast.

Despite relegation from the Championship thanks to the club’s financial difficulties he had a relatively successful season. He made 36 appearances in the Championship, scoring two goals and keeping 12 clean sheets.

He was ever-present in the squad from January onwards where Wigan suffered only four defeats.

He is a defender known for his physical prowess; standing at just over 6’3, his aerial capabilities are there for all to see, and he will have no trouble keeping up to speed with the fast paced and physical nature of top flight football.

However, at only 23 years of age and with little experience at the highest level, he is certainly a gamble when compared with other targets like Shane Duffy. But should Albion snap him up for a fee of below one million then it would be extremely shrewd business.

The potential to build a long-term partnership with last season’s bargain signing, Semi Ajayi, will certainly excite Baggies fans.

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