West Bromwich Albion are close to signing Kyle Bartley according to Sky sources. The English centre-back is set to sign for the newly relegated club for just £4 million. Leeds United fans are horrified by the news despite the club pulling their interest in the ex-skipper.
The news comes as West Bromwich Albion are linked with a host of Leeds related players. First is Bartley, a player who Leeds made the number one target at the start of the summer and earmarked as a marquee signing. Pontus Jansson is apparently wanted by Moore, news in the Swedish media starting that story and next and finally is ex-player Kemar Roofe, a player they sold to Oxford United.
BREAKING: Sky sources: @WBA close to agreeing £4m deal to sign @SwansOfficial defender Kyle Bartley. #SSN pic.twitter.com/XRMl8KUkOJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 12, 2018
At £4 million you won’t get this value for money anywhere else this summer. The West Brom rebuilding is underway and despite losing star man Jonny Evans the signs are good. Players are departing from all over the squad which is often the case and you have to look at the permanent deal for manager Darren Moore as the catalyst for players wanting to stay and indeed come to the club.
Bartley and Leeds was meant to be the move. Leeds wanted him, Bartley made it clear he wanted to come to Leeds and Leeds had the money for the transfer and wages, so what went wrong? This was all pre-Marcelo Bielsa and the Argentine began to decide what direction to go in regarding transfers. He hasn’t had much luck so far although he’s bagged Lewis Baker from Chelsea and on the brink of Jamal Blackman from the Blues as well.
