West Brom’s £25,000-p/w star faces uncertain future with championship rivals ready to secure move

West Bromwich Albion could be at risk of losing an important first-team player for a cut-price deal this summer, with several Championship clubs reportedly monitoring the situation.

There was some surprise when the club appointed former midfielder James Morrison as interim boss until the end of the season. It marked the third time this campaign that the Baggies had turned to a young manager in their bid to secure Championship survival, a decision that initially appeared to carry significant risk.

However, the early signs under Morrison have been encouraging. Since taking charge at The Hawthorns, he has overseen just one league defeat and recently celebrated his first victory with an impressive 3–0 win over Hull City.

That result lifted West Brom out of the relegation zone, and Morrison admitted he was pleased with the performance from his players.

He explained that the result reflected the work being done behind the scenes, praising the squad for carrying out instructions effectively and delivering a strong display throughout the match.

Despite some concerns about fatigue during a demanding run of three games in a week, he highlighted the level of individual performances and the commitment shown by the group.

Morrison also emphasised the importance of competing for every ball and maintaining consistency as the team looks to build momentum in the closing stages of the campaign.

Avoiding relegation remains crucial for West Brom. A shock drop into the third tier would likely trigger serious financial and squad consequences, potentially leading to several departures – including one experienced attacker who could leave for nothing at the end of the season.

According to reports from Sports Boom, an unnamed Championship club has already made an approach regarding West Brom captain Jed Wallace. The winger is currently set to become a free agent this summer and is said to be attracting interest from three clubs in the division, including his boyhood side Portsmouth.

The situation is worrying for the Baggies because contract discussions have yet to begin, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding their league status. Even before negotiations start, there appears to be a difference in expectations.

West Brom are believed to favour offering Wallace a short-term extension, while the player is reportedly seeking a longer agreement. Should the club fail to meet those terms, they could lose the experienced winger on a free transfer.

The £25,000-per-week wide man, previously described as “brilliant” by EFL pundit Ali Maxwell, has started three of the last five Championship matches, underlining the role he still plays in the squad.

Allowing their captain to depart for nothing, particularly to a direct Championship rival, would represent a significant setback. With uncertainty already surrounding the club’s survival hopes and their long-term managerial direction, losing such an influential figure would only add further instability at the Hawthorns.