Though much of the talk this off-season in Baggies quarters has focused on a number of departures, West Bromwich Albion supporters will be eagerly awaiting any developments of new arrivals into the building at the Hawthorns. It’s not all doom and gloom from a West Brom perspective, though, as a new and fresh squad next campaign may work in their favor, ahead of another promotion push being on the cards.
If rumors are true, the West Midlands team may even sign a player with the same level of deviousness as Grady Diangana this transfer window without having to spend a fortune. West Brom looking at entertaining free-agent Josh Windass, who is soon to be a free agent after Sheffield Wednesday’s contract expires, is one of the main reasons why the Championship play-off semi-finalists from last season are prepared to ‘lock horns’ with rival Birmingham City.
After heroically representing the Owls throughout their relegation fears, it appeared as though the 30-year-old offensive midfielder would soon sign a new contract at Hillsborough. However, negotiations between the South Yorkshire team and the player have since broken down, which has sparked a strong interest from West Brom.
The report further suggests that the Baggies have even made contact, with Carlos Corberan’s men potentially having the upper-hand in any potential transfer scrap, owing to their status in the Championship, compared to Birmingham’s now League One positioning.
What Windass might provide West Brom with
Since Windass captivated and amused Hillsborough supporters in a similar way to Diangana did during his many years at Wednesday, Windass might be the obvious replacement West Brom needs if the Congolese attacker ends up leaving. Rumors also suggest that Diangana may be off this summer.
Similar to the former winger for West Ham United, Windass has similarly irritated fans in South Yorkshire over his extensive tenure with Danny Rohl’s team by frequently disappearing from matches.
However, what will have most interested Corberan and Co. is his ability to work a bit of magic in crucial situations, such as the bold goal he scored against Blackburn Rovers above. This is especially true if they wind up signing Windass, who Rohl called a “game-changer” for Wednesday on his day last season, for nothing.
Despite Diangana bettering Windass with his overall output for the season, the 30-year-old forward could still offer the same energy in attack as that of the West Brom number 11 and give even more to the cause, with Windass averaging more shots per game last season when contrasted with Diangana, alongside impressively scoring at a more rapid pace at every 293 minutes.
Even if the 26-year-old were to stick it out at the Hawthorns ahead of next season, Windass would still be a worthwhile capture to make, with the former Accrington Stanley man also able to offer more depth down the wings.
Windass has played down either flank on occasion for Wednesday, which will help in areas that certainly need more numbers filling in at the moment at West Brom, with Matt Phillips no longer being on the books in the West Midlands one notable departee.
West Brom supporters will be apprehensive about their side’s chances of going one better and actually tasting promotion next campaign, but that shouldn’t mean the entertainment levels at the club suffer, with Windass guaranteed to get fans of his new club off their feet, if playing to the best of his ability.
