Two of West Bromwich Albion’s most important central defenders from the previous season, Kyle Bartley and Cedric Kipre, have yet to commit to the team for the foreseeable future.
After their successful 23/24 seasons, the two defenders will both become free agents on Sunday when their current contracts expire. Nevertheless, the Baggies have offered both players extended contracts.
According to rumors from Turkish newspaper Sabah, former Wigan Athletic player Kipre is reportedly a target for Turkish Super Big team Trabzonspor during the summer transfer season.
Albion may already have a respectable reserve on their books after coming up through the ranks, but replacements will be needed immediately if the center backs are to leave the Hawthorns this season.
Caleb Taylor could prove to be ready-made Cedric Kipre, Kyle Bartley replacement for West Bromwich Albion
Caleb Taylor is yet to start a league game for the Baggies after emerging from the academy at the Hawthorns, but has already shown his prowess with two promising loan spells away from the club.
The 22/23 campaign saw the 21-year-old spend the season with Cheltenham Town in the third tier, where he played in all but one game for the Robins as they maintained their status as a League One side.
The center back had a great debut in the professional game, winning over many fans with his confidence in the middle of the Town defense and his ability to score goals from the opposite end.
Taylor returned to Albion last summer and spent some time with the first squad. He then made sporadic appearances for Carlos Corberan’s team in cup competitions and the Championship before going on loan to Bolton Wanderers.
Despite making just seven appearances with the Trotters, the defender never ended up losing while playing for Ian Evatt’s team since he helped them earn a third-tier playoff spot.
And since there is still uncertainty around Bartley and Kipre’s futures, Corberan might want to place more faith in the youthful center back, as a successful preseason should increase his chances of making the team in the next season.
Time is running out for Albion’s defense tandem, therefore FLW West Brom fan analyst Matt Smith thinks that’s the only option right now.
“You’ve got to keep Caleb Taylor around the first-team for next season, even though I can’t say that I’ve seen much of him whatsoever,” Smith stated.
“I think he performed fairly well playing in a back three at Bolton, but you can’t let him go back out on loan without finding someone to replace him if you lose two center backs.”
“I understand that Torbjorn Heggem, a young player from Norway, is joining us, but at the very least, he needs to be involved with the first team during the preseason.” or until you send in additional help.
I’d have to monitor him more to decide whether or not another elite League One loan would be better for his development.
Torbjorn Heggem, a defender with IF Brommapojkarna, is expected to be West Bromwich Albion’s first summer acquisition.
The fact that the team hasn’t sat back and enjoyed the situation with Kipre and Bartley will provide a little sense of relief to Baggies supporters, as the team is expected to make their first summer signing in the coming days.
According to recent rumors, Torbjorn Heggem, a defender for IF Brommapojkarna, had a medical at the club prior to moving to the Black Country in the summer to join Carlos Corberan’s [shown] team.
After making 40 appearances for the Swedish team in the Allsvenskan over the previous two seasons, the 25-year-old has become a regular fixture.
The Baggies would welcome the Norwegian’s arrival ahead of the forthcoming campaign, but Taylor’s suitability for it will still be an open question given the possible departure of two defenders.
