West Bromwich Albion fans will hope their team is back in the Championship promotion reckoning very soon after stumbling to an unsatisfactory ninth spot in the division last time out.
Ryan Mason is an unknown entity from the dugout – having only ever been an interim manager option at former side Tottenham Hotspur – which could well work in his favour, as the exciting 34-year-old rookie prepares to try and guide his brand new side back into the playoff positions.
He has been backed in the transfer window so far, with George Campbell the latest addition from CF Montreal, on top of Aune Heggebo joining the group from Brann for a whopping £4.7m.
Whilst that lavish fee will of course have caught the eye of the Hawthorns masses, Mason might well have another trump card in his back pocket when attempting to finally bring in the likes of Mikey Moore to the West Midlands on loan, owing to his ex-Spurs connections.
West Brom’s ongoing pursuit of Moore
It’s been well documented across this chaotic transfer window to date that West Brom are keen to add Moore to their ranks this summer, knowing full well he was coached by Mason back in North London.
On top of that already healthy working relationship being a major plus, Moore does look ready for a chance to shine in the demanding EFL, having lit up youth pitches at Spurs for some time now, away from also scoring his first ever senior strike for his boyhood employers last season in the Europa League.
Moore’s silky surge forward against IF Elfsborg, and the subsequent finish that was drilled into the back of the net, would have got Spurs supporters out of their seats, with the 17-year-old finally off the mark for the club at a senior level, after collecting 29 goals and assists in U18 Premier League action.
The trail has gone slightly cold involving the Baggies hunting down Moore’s services, however, with German outlet BILD even speculating that Borussia Dortmund are now looking at the raw attacker.
Therefore, it might not be as straightforward as once thought for Mason to flex his close-knit ties if the might of Dortmund are sniffing around, which might now lead West Brom down a different avenue for another rising Premier League starlet…
The “special” PL ace who could be Mason’s next Moore
West Brom will be seen as a worthwhile working environment for Premier League youngsters to join, considering the likes of Harvey Barnes and Romelu Lukaku called the Hawthorns home briefly on loan as wide-eyed starlets, before going on to have lengthy careers at the very top.
James McConnell will hope he’s the next up-and-coming youngster that finds his brief stay at West Brom to be as transformative as others have experienced, with journalist Lewis Steele recently revealing that the highly-rated Liverpool midfielder is on the Baggies’ radar, after news came out that he was being allowed a loan opportunity away from Anfield.
Whilst Moore is the talk of the town based on his Europa League exploits, McConnell – who is more mature at 20 years of age – would be another exciting talent to obtain, in the same mould as his 17-year-old counterpart.
Firstly, the Reds number 53 can boast that he has a solitary appearance in the more luxurious Champions League, whilst he also looked assured and confident at Wembley back in 2024 when trusted with a 33-minute cameo in the EFL Cup final versus Chelsea.
McConnell would come away from that short stint on the Wembley turf with many a notable voice showering him with praise, with Jurgen Klopp even going as far as to hail the 20-year-old as “special”.
Lastly, his adaptability for the cause, away from Moore primarily favouring a spot down the wing or as a striker, will also make him an attractive prospect to pick up on loan, as West Brom attempt to gun for promotion during the intense 46-game marathon.
|
McConnell’s numbers for Liverpool by position |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position played |
Games played |
Goals scored |
Assists |
|
CM |
35 |
5 |
7 |
|
DM |
28 |
1 |
3 |
|
AM |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
RM |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
RB |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
CF |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
LW |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
LM |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Sourced by Transfermarkt |
|||
McConnell has even lined up as a right-back on occasion across his entire Anfield stay, with Mason now surely viewing the Liverpool man as a versatile gem that’s worth pursuing, over holding out hope a move for Moore gets off the ground.
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