West Bromwich Albion have identified Bristol City forward Bobby Reid and Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers as key summer transfer targets as they prepare for life in the Championship next season. They have reportedly made a £10m bid to sign the talented duo.
The Baggies were relegated from the Premier League after they finished bottom of the pile in the 2017/18 campaign. But under new manager Darren Moore, they will be hoping to put up a strong promotion bid next campaign and return to the top-flight at the first time of asking itself.
Owing to West Brom’s relegation, Jonny Evans has already left the club for Leicester City. Strikers Jay Rodriguez and Salomon Rondon are also being chased by several Premier League sides and they are expected to leave in the summer. That would leave the Baggies severely short of numbers up front, which is why making a move for Reid makes total sense for the club.
The 25-year-old Bristol City man enjoyed the best season of his career in 2017/18 campaign as he scored 19 goals and set up seven more in 46 Championship appearances, thereby finishing as the division’s third-highest goalscorer.
He also netted two goals and assisted one in six League Cup games as the Robins reached the semi-finals of the competition.
Reid is capable of playing as a centre-forward and he can also play in the hole behind the main striker. He possesses the ability to add some creative spark to the West Brom side, who seemed to lack that last season. Having played over 100 matches in the Championship, Reid knows what is needed to succeed at this level.
Sawyers, on the other hand, was a product of West Brom’s academy. But he failed to break into the first team picture at the club and left the Baggies to join Walsall in 2013.
He then switched to Brentford in the summer of 2016 and has grown into an important player for the Bees over the past couple of seasons. The St. Kitts & Nevis international has featured 89 times for the club, netting eight goals and setting up 13 more.
An attacking midfielder by trade, the 26-year old has the ability to open up defences with intelligent through balls and his link-up play in the final third will add an added dimension to West Brom’s attacks.
With 5 goals and as many assists in 44 games in all competitions last season, Sawyers might prove to be the difference maker for West Brom next season.
A swift return to the Premier League will be the primary objective for West Brom, and signing Reid and Sawyers, who have the experience of playing in the Championship, would surely benefit the Baggies.
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