West Brom boss Steve Bruce has told Birmingham Live he hopes to make ‘three or four’ signings before the new season begins.
As the Baggies’ pre-season training goes underway, Bruce and his staff are already getting his players working hard in the Mediterranean sun.
The majority of the squad apart from the injured Kyle Bartley and Kean Bryan have commenced their preparations for the upcoming season with youth players such as Caleb Taylor and Ethan Ingram also training with the first team.
New signings Jed Wallace and John Swift are also with the squad after both players finalised contracts with the Baggies in the last few weeks. Although the acquiring of both Championship playmakers was of utmost importance for Bruce, won’t be looking to stop there, with more new additions targeted before the season begins.
When asked about potential signings, Bruce stated:
“Loans are always a bit later, and you have to be a bit shrewder in the market… I would expect three or four before we kick off the season”.
After an underwhelming campaign that saw the Baggies miss out on the play-off places and finish in a mid-table position, the signings of proven Championship talents like Swift and Wallace are already smart bits of business for the Baggies.
But, the bolstering of a number of positions will surely serve them well for the upcoming campaign.
Positions to strengthen…
It is already known that Bruce is keen on signing another striker with Daryl Dike’s time in the Midlands being plagued by injury so far.
The return of Kenneth Zohore after a prolonged absence also means that they have another option going forward but the signing of a proven and clinical Championship centre-forward could compliment Wallace’s and Swift’s creative abilities well.
There is a real lack of defensively minded players currently at the club but with Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury reportedly being eyed, this could fill the gaps for a Baggies side lacking in defensive depth.
When it comes to loan deals, Aston Villa starlet Cameron Archer impressed during his time on loan at Preston North End last season and with the 20-year-old also being shortlisted,
Archer would add more threat going forward in a relatively small pool of attacking options.
