West Brom hopeful of Hamza Choudhury loan
Albion remain hopeful they can strike a deal to sign Hamza Choudhury on loan despite Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers saying he is more open to a permanent transfer.
Baggies boss Sam Allardyce is determined to bring in a holding midfielder this month. And Choudhury is understood to be his number one target, with Albion joining Newcastle and Southampton in submitting loan offers for the 23-year-old.
Speaking last week, Rodgers said he wouldn’t be overly keen to seen Choudhury leave the club on loan.
“A loan deal isn’t an overly attractive one at this moment in time,” he said.
“If he does go out, it may be to get games. He wants to play, which is natural.
“It’s just something that we’re not in a big rush to do, but because of the enquiries over a loan, I just wanted to make it clear he’s not really a player that we’re overly keen on loaning.
“If someone is looking to buy him, or sees his qualities to buy then that’s a different matter. We’ll see what January brings on that front.”
Despite those comments, the Express & Star understands talks regarding a loan between Albion and Leicester for Choudhury are ongoing.
It is also believed the midfielder favours a move to The Hawthorns as he believes that is where he will play the most games. It would also mean he doesn’t have to relocate.
Choudhury has made 10 appearances for Rodgers’ side this season.
But only two of those have been in the Premier League with the vast majority having come in the Europa League.
If Albion do sign Choudhury on loan, they will not be able to bring in another loanee from a Premier League side this season.
Top-flight rules state you can only sign two domestic loanees.
Albion already have Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea who – along with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone – has arguably been their best player this season.
But while Allardyce is also after at least one striker, he has said he expects that player to arrive from abroad.
