Carlos Corberan has reminded West Bromwich Albion that despite the summer transfer window closing, they must remain attentive since you never know what opportunities can arise in other countries where commerce is still permitted.
Albion successfully repelled interest in their key players from clubs around the UK who were scurrying to complete the deal by 11pm last Friday when they beat the deadline to sign Spaniard Pipa on a season-long loan agreement from Ludogorets. However, clubs across the continent and even further beyond have expanded their window for player additions.
This summer, the Saudi Pro League established itself in the world by luring some of the biggest names in Europe to the Middle East. They still have time to shock the Premier League further. Although it seems unlikley that any Saudi Arabian clubs will approach Albion about signing their players, the markets in Greece and Turkey are still open through the middle of September.
The club would theoretically have to evaluate any interest or offers from that region of Europe on their merits given Albion’s financial situation, and Carlos Corberan predicts the free agent market will come into play for clubs who can’t immediately replace any players who might be sold while not necessarily in Albion’s case.
Everyone in the world will experience this market differently, Corberan said. “This year has seen the emergence of new markets, such as Saudi Arabia, which operate on a different schedule from that of Europe. The free agent market will be more beneficial this year than in prior years for football as a whole because things could happen in the next two weeks that no one anticipates, not just for West Bromwich.
“Everyone talks about Saudi Arabia doing anything bad for football, but that’s not true. This is what they are doing—they are investing the money. The Premier League, which is played in England, is a lucrative league. When someone has the money to pay for the top players, they can typically achieve the best in the world.
“The only issue, the only challenge, begins right away, although often for Premier League clubs rather than Championship clubs. We still have some excellent players who have played in the Premier League here, so overcoming any obstacles will remain a challenge for us.
“When a good player is wanted and you can only add free agents, this summer’s free agents were crucial early on and will still be crucial now that the window has closed – for clubs in the Premier League, Spain’s top league, and for teams where this market is more focused and interested.”
