Why West Brom must keep hold of Kieran Gibbs at any cost

According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Torino are interested in signing West Brom left-back Kieran Gibbs.

Gibbs, 28, joined West Brom from Arsenal in the summer of 2017 for a fee in the region of £7million, and he went on to make 36 appearances in all competitions. The left-back instantly established himself as a regular starter under Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew and Darren Moore, but couldn’t save the Baggies from getting relegated this past season.

A player of Gibbs’ quality deserves to play in the Premier League but the Baggies must do everything in their powers to keep hold of Gibbs, who was one of the club’s rare sparks last season.

Darren Moore has continued his job of rebuilding the West Brom side as he prepares his team for the Championship challenge. Moore, who was instilled as the permanent boss after overseeing a positive run of results late last season, would want an instant return to the Premier League.

The Baggies have made five signings in the summer transfer window, with Conor Townsend the latest fresh face to arrive at the Hawthorns. Townsend, signed from Scunthorpe United, has arrived at West Brom on a three-year deal and will give further competition for the left-back berth currently occupied by Gibbs.

Moore has good depth in the left-back position, with the likes of Allan Nyom and Chris Brunt able to deputise when needed. It would give Townsend enough time to find his feet at the club. But Moore must continue with Gibbs as his first-choice left-back and ease Townsend into the team by making him the former Arsenal man’s deputy.

Gibbs has gained a wealth of experience playing in the Premier League and to let go of such a player would indeed be a shame for West Brom. The Baggies just cannot afford to offload proven Premier League players this summer.

Gibbs, who possesses decent pace, is a player who needs to be kept at the Hawthorns at all costs. For achieving Premier League promotion right away, Moore needs to keep the crux of his squad intact, which makes it a no-brainer to retain the services of Gibbs.