West Brom goalkeeper, Alex Palmer’s potential move to Luton Town is now off after the Baggies rejected the Premier League new-boys offer, according to the Express and Star.
After the Baggies received a bid from the Hatters the day before, the 26-year-old was left out of Carlos Corberan’s last pre-season encounter, a 4-3 defeat to Bolton Wanderers [29 July].
Luton Town proposed a cost more than the previously reported £3 million, and due to The Hawthorns’ poor financial state, a prospective transfer of Corberan’s first-choice keeper was explored barely a week before the Championship season began.
Discussing the collapse of the deal, Lewis Cox wrote: “The offer, understood to be from Championship play-off winners Luton, was initially considered as it was a full cash up-front offer as opposed to a fee paid in instalments.
“The Express & Star understands the Hatters’ bid for the 26-year-old was higher than the £2.5million-£3million reported in places. But, with head coach Corberan fully involved in discussions with managing director Mark Miles and head of football operations Ian Pearce, the move will now no longer go ahead.
“Corberan issued a reminder that such interest in one of the club’s key men was a reminder that, due to their financial position, Albion must remain ready to be reactive to the transfer market and any unexpected movements in the final month of the summer window.”
Correct approach
While the Baggies are probably more than equipped to lose one of the members of their overstaffed goalkeeping department, it appears they would much rather that man be David Button than either of Palmer or Josh Griffiths.
Luckily, the early sale of Dara O’Shea this summer to Burnley for £7m has given Corberan and his recruitment team to be a bit more cutthroat when selling for the remainder of the summer and likely has meant they are in a position to reject a big fee from Luton.
Losing your first-choice keeper a week before the season starts isn’t ideal for any team, let alone one that has looked rather indifferent throughout pre-season so far. The former Huddersfield manager needs as strong a team as possible available to him for the season opener against Blackburn in order to get off to a good start.
The only issue will be whether the Baggies could have re-invested that amount elsewhere in their team; with rumors claiming they are still looking for a new striker, an extra £3 million may have aided that chase.
Then again, what use is it if you’re now able to score goals, but you have no keeper at the other end. It looks like West Brom have made a sensible decision here.
