Pundit Carlton Palmer believes that losing right-back Ethan Ingram on a free transfer would be a huge blow for West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies defender is reportedly weighing up his options, with EFL and Scottish clubs interested, per The Mirror reporter Daniel Marsh.
The 21-year-old defender’s contract at The Hawthorns officially expires on 30 June, and West Brom have confirmed via their retained list for the 2023/24 season, that Ingram has been offered a new contract to remain at the club.
As of yet, the former England youth international has not shown any intent to sign the contract that’s been put in front of him by the club, and now various sides across English football and Scotland are preparing to swoop for the right-back.
Ingram spent the 2023/24 season on loan with League Two outfit Salford City, after spending multiple seasons on the outside looking in at first-team football with the Baggies.
Carlton Palmer issues verdict on West Brom, Ethan Ingram situation
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, pundit Carlton Palmer believes that should the Baggies lose Ingram on a free this summer, it would be a very disappointing moment for the club.
Palmer told FLW: “Disappointing news coming out of The Hawthorns at this present moment in time, that their promising right-back Ethan Ingram is reportedly weighing up his options away from The Hawthorns.
“His contract expires at the end of the month, and it is reported that League One clubs and clubs north of the border in Scotland are interested in the 21-year-old.
“He spent this season on loan at Salford City, and he’s yet to play a first team game for West Bromwich Albion, spending multiple seasons on the fringes of first team football.
“This would be a massive blow for West Brom. The West Brom academy graduate and former England youth international has got a really bright future ahead of him.
“He’s currently sat down making his mind up, he knows he’s not going to play first team football, so whether he signs a contract and then goes out on loan, or whether he makes the decision to make a permanent move as a free transfer.
“Given that he’s come through the ranks at West Brom, and that he’s got a very promising career ahead of him and he’s highly sought after, this would be very, very disappointing for the West Brom faithful.
“Again, I don’t understand why his contract was allowed to run down to as far as what it has done. So, it’s not encouraging news at the moment, because if the 21-year-old does not see his future at the club, as it stands, West Brom would be very disappointed to see this lad go.”
Ethan Ingram could be a big loss for West Brom
Despite only featuring three times for the Baggies’ first team, with all of those appearances coming exclusively in the EFL Cup, Ingram could be about to see his best chance yet to receive first team minutes at West Brom next season.
That is because the Baggies’ starting right-back for the last five seasons, Darnell Furlong, has reportedly been told that he could leave the club this summer.
Journalist Alan Nixon revealed via his Patreon in late May that Albion will sell the 28-year-old over the coming weeks, as he finds himself with just 12 months remaining on his contract at the club.
Nixon reports that a fee of £2 million may be enough to prize the former QPR man away from The Hawthorns, whilst also revealing that Premier League clubs are taking an interest in him.
The sale of Furlong could well open the first team door for Ingram, as he would be the most senior right-back option left at the football club as things stand.
After experiencing his first prolonged taste of senior football on loan with Salford last season, and impressing in the process, Ingram will have improved as a player for having that experience.
Navigating the transfer market for players is never a straightforward process, and there is the possibility that the Baggies could run into some snags in their pursuit of Furlong’s replacement.
As such, having a player like Ingram around the building to fill in should Albion fail to find extra depth in that position, could be absolutely crucial.
Therefore, West Brom may need to tread carefully in order to ensure that this won’t become a decision they regret in the future.
