West Brom boss 'looking in lower leagues' for signings - linked to highly-rated defender
- Simon Wilkes
- 27 June 2023
West Brom have been linked with Exeter City defender Josh Key, who is available on a free transfer, and Baggies boss Carlos Corberan has admitted he is scouring the lower leagues for bargains.
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has given a strong hint that he will be scouring the lower leagues and free transfer market this summer, having been linked with a move for Exeter City defender Josh Key, who is versatile but plays mainly at right-back.
The Baggies finished outside of the Championship play-off places last season, meaning they will need to work to a reduced budget as they will no longer receive parachute payments from the Premier League.
Albion have eased their financial pressure with the £7million sale of captain and star defender Dara O'Shea to Burnley - but more departures are expected at The Hawthorns, with Jayson Molumby linked to Leeds United and Rangers reportedly interested in Karlan Grant.
Corberan has had 'honest' talks with the Albion hierarchy about what he can realistically do in the summer window - but he has managed to re-sign veteran defender Erik Pieters on a one-year contract.
Now the Spaniard, who was linked with the Leeds United vacancy but seems to see his future at Albion, is looking to add more players to his squad, with 23-year-old Key fitting the bill as he is out of contract and available on a free transfer.
Key has made 118 league appearances for Exeter City, scoring seven goals - but Albion are not his only admirers, with Swansea City and Plymouth Argyle reportedly also interested in him.
Corberan told WBA TV: "Dara [O'Shea] is an example of the type of profile of player we want to have in the club. A player who has been in the lower leagues or maybe non-league football.
"He is an example of what we need to do. The club recruited him for previous seasons and not from the highest level. The club was working with him and improving him. He has made an amazing contribution for the situation of the club.
"We need to adapt to the situation of the club, and the situation of the club right now is different to the situation the previous year.
"The most important thing is to know what our financial possibilities are. Your financial possibilities determine which market you can enter into.
"I understand the priorities of the club right now, which is to make some transfers now to give us the chance to add different players.
"The first one is Dara O'Shea, who was an important player but I understand that these things are going to happen.
"Some players will join us and be part of our amazing club for the next season. These situations are always going to happen.
"The club has always been very honest with me about the financial possibilities and this is something I really appreciate.
"The fact the financial possibilities are different just increases our challenge and our motivation to create a competitive squad, which is what everyone involved with the club wants."
