West Brom plan to replace Darren Fletcher with younger model
Albion are planning to replace Darren Fletcher in the heart of midfield with a younger model, but have cooled their interest in Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho for now.
The Baggies lost their influential captain to Midlands rivals Stoke this week after the Potters offered Fletcher a two-year contract with the option of a third year.
Albion tabled a one-year deal with a potential second year based on performance, and so the 33-year-old followed Saido Berahino to the Staffordshire club.
The Baggies still have several options in central midfield, but boss Tony Pulis is eager to replace Fletcher with another body.
However, he’s turned away from Carvalho for the time being after being concerned over his athleticism during a recent scouting trip to Portugal.
Malaga’s Ignacio Camacho, who was a target last summer until Pulis pulled the plug on a £15million deal, is also not in the running.
Depending on young Sam Field’s progress in pre-season, the club may try and sign two central midfielders, but with bodies desperately needed up front and in defence, there is hope the 19-year-old will play a larger role next season so funds can be distributed elsewhere.
In February, chairman John Williams said he wanted to make ‘two or three’ signings this summer but having lost Fletcher and Jonas Olsson since then, the squad is perilously thin and the board – who met this week – are now aware they need around five or six fresh faces.
Fletcher was one of the club’s highest earners, and his departure has freed up a significant chunk of money.
“Stoke made me a great offer,” he admitted. “Two years with the option of a third, and when I spoke to the manager Mark Hughes I liked what he had to say.
“I liked what was said in the discussions I had with him, his ideas and his philosophies.”
Fletcher’s departure came as a blow but Nacer Chadli confirmed he has no plans to leave the Baggies this summer.
The record signing has joined up with the Belgium squad ahead of Monday’s fixture with the Czech Republic.
"After that [international duty], it’ll be holiday and pre-season with West Brom,” he said. “I’m going in with the mentality that I’ll be playing there next season."
