West Bromwich Albion have made contact with a free agent.
The Hawthorns had a reasonably peaceful summer…
According to rumors, West Bromwich Albion have made a first approach to sign a free-agent midfielder.
West Brom signed who this summer?
The summer transfer market was rather calm for the Baggies ahead of Carlos Corberan’s first full season in charge at The Hawthorns.
The club took in only three new players while spending no money. Bordeaux striker Josh Maja joined on a free transfer, while Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento and Ludogorets right-back Pipa joined on loan.
West Brom sold defender Dara O’Shea to Premier League side Burnley and let go of Jake Livermore, David Button, and Tom Rogic.
On the pitch, they’ve had a relatively good start, with seven points from their first five Championship games, putting them in the top half ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bristol City.
However, there may be more room for the Baggies to add to their squad, with Corberan recently acknowledging that the free agency will be ‘helpful’.
“Everyone in the world will experience a different market in this market.” The fact that new markets, such as Saudi Arabia, have emerged this year, and they do not follow the same timeframe as Europe, is unique.
“Not just for West Bromwich Albion, but for football in general, the free agent market will be more useful this year than in previous years because unexpected things can happen in the next two weeks.”
And it appears that people in the Midlands have identified one player of interest who is now unattached.
West Brom and Championship rivals Southampton have reportedly contacted the agent of Portuguese midfielder Xeka, according to TEAMtalk.
However, the two second-tier sides aren’t the only clubs keen, with Crystal Palace, Everton, Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as clubs in France, Italy, Spain and Turkey also interested.
Who exactly is Xeka?
Xeka is generally a central midfielder, but he can also play as a holding midfielder or out on the left wing if necessary, demonstrating how he might provide a diverse option at The Hawthorns if the club is able to capture his services.
According to Transfermarkt, the 28-year-old does not have a weak foot and is valued at €6 million following his release from French club Stade Rennais last month. He only appeared on nine occasions for his prior clubs and is best remembered for his stint at Lille, when he made nearly 150 appearances.
Alongside his experience in France, Xeka has also plied his trade in his native country with Braga and SC Covilha and over the past 365 days, has shown his quality when on the pitch.
According to FBref, Xeka has a high pass completion and block rate, so he might be seen as another solid option in midfield for Corberan alongside current possibilities. Okay, Yokuslu, Nathaniel Chalobah, John Swift, Alex Mowatt, and Jayson Molumby, making this one to watch.
