West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion's young English midfielder Harry Whitwell has caught the eye of their opening day opponents Norwich City as the 20-year-old's future at the Hawthorns remains uncertain. (Full Throstle - requires subscription, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Chris Hall
Fan writer

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Fans always want business done earlier and marquee signings announced ahead of the new season. That's the nature of football.

When that doesn't happen, the fanbase usually gets frustrated and nervous.

That's how many Albion fans have been left feeling this summer.

While we've brought in some talented young players and an exciting prospect from Norway, many are still waiting for the arrival of the marquee forward signings many expected when Jed Wallace, Karlan Grant, Daryl Dike and Josh Maja departed in the summer.

The fact we are going into the season without having signed an experienced forward or an out-and-out wide man could be seen as an oversight.

However, Albion are not the only team struggling to get big deals done this summer, and when you dig a little deeper there's one very clear reason why.

Not The Top 20's Ali Maxwell highlighted on X that Championship clubs have (at the time of writing) completed 50 fewer transfers than League One clubs and more than 100 fewer than League Two teams.

The World Cup plays a part in this as Championship clubs often recruit from the Premier League.

Teams in the English top flight will have truncated pre-season preparations due to so many internationals being away over the summer and will be reticent to let players go until they have players back or have signed replacements.

However, the key reason for fewer second-tier transfers is a rule change that was applied by the FA in June and has barely been reported.

Since 2023, non-UK and Irish signings must meet one of two criteria.

They can achieve a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which judges the quality of the league they play in, the domestic and international appearances made and assigns the player points accordingly to determine if they qualify.

If they don't qualify for GBE status, then the second way they can play in this country is through an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot, which can be assigned to up to four players per team each season.

However, this summer the FA restricted ESC slots to players whose birthdays were on or after 1 January 2003 (so, in essence, 23-year-olds or younger).

The knock-on effect of this small change has been dramatic.

It has significantly reduced the pool of players who can be signed from abroad by Championship clubs.

To put this in perspective, it was recently reported that Portsmouth had to cross more than 50 players off their shortlist due to this one change in the law.

Albion have had to get creative with their recruitment in recent years and find value in minor leagues due to the financial situation of the club.

Players such as Torbjorn Heggem, Ousmane Diakite, George Campbell and Aune Heggebo have all joined for relatively low fees and performed well.

Had this new ESC rule existed over the past two summers, we wouldn't have been allowed to sign any of those players.

Furthermore, reducing the pool of players that can be signed from abroad has increased the competition for those players who do qualify for GBE or ESC and pushed their price up.

It has also inflated the prices within the domestic market.

The big beneficiaries so far this window have been Premier League clubs who have been able to sell young talents like Will Lankshear, Lewis Dobbin, Radek Vitek, Alfie Devine and Danny Imray for substantial fees.

This is because there is an unusually small amount of trading happening between Championship clubs, probably because clubs know there is a substantial cost attached to replacing those players.

What trading is happening is often happening for inflated fees when you look at the transfers of Ethan Galbraith, Andre Brooks and Ben Whiteman.

The reality for Albion is that they can't get involved in that scramble, especially after last season's points deduction.

The Throstles must be prudent with their business, which probably means being patient and hoping things calm down later in the window.

Fans will naturally want marquee players through the door sooner rather than later but, at present, talents like the heavily linked Cameron Archer simply have too many potential suitors in a shrunken market for Albion to be in a strong negotiating position.

Should such players remain on the shelf later in the window, then, perhaps, it becomes a buyer's market, and Albion can come to the table.

Until that happens, the Baggies will have to remain patient, wait for there to be value in the market and, perhaps, rely a little more on academy talents than they might have planned.

That was probably the intention of the rule change all along and, if Harry Whitwell continues to flourish as he has in recent weeks, maybe the ESC rule change might prove a blessing in disguise.

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison says the club are "in a good place" over their transfer business so far and will remain patient over potential targets for the rest of the window.

The Baggies have brought in six new players this summer as Morrison shapes his squad in preparation for his first full campaign as permanent boss.

That begins on Saturday with a trip to Rotherham in the Carabao Cup before the Championship action gets underway a week later.

"We're in a good place. As a club now we've got to be patient and find the right ones," he told BBC Radio WM.

"Good players are always going to create that excitement. I want good players to arrive so they create that good feeling around the place and excitement for the fans.

"We've done some good business, signed six players, we're in a good place, I'm happy with everything's going.

"I understand the market, I've understood myself - I'm not trying to get to want, want, want - I'm thinking about the bigger picture."

Morrison has been working with head of football operations Ian Pearce and said he has been "really happy" with how things have gone.

"It's about working relationships, different opinions, identifying what type of players we need, so I've been really happy with the way we've been working," he said.

The latest addition has been Norway midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, who Morrison said they had been interested in signing for a while.

"I picked him out. I liked the way he moved, the way he was with the ball, the way he got forward," Morrison added.

"He's been on our radar for quite a long time. He's used to playing games with Europe and internationally, so he's a well equipped and will fit in really well."

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West Bromwich Albion midfielder Souleyman Mandey has left The Hawthorns to return to his native Austria to join Grazer AK for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old joined Albion's academy from Rangers early in the 2023-24 season.

Mandey made his first-team debut for Albion late on as a substitute in their final game of the 2025-26 Championship season, in what was only James Morrison's second defeat in 12 games after taking charge in late February.

The Austria Under-21 international is understood to have turned down the offer of a new contract.

Albion have negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the deal.

After keeping his side in the second tier, Morrison's men start the new season with an EFL Cup first-round tie at Rotherham United this Saturday, before beginning their league campaign with an opening-day trip to Norwich City.

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Dan Wheeler
BBC Sport

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West Bromwich Albion have signed Norway midfielder Felix Horn Myhre on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old, capped six times by his country, joins the Baggies from Norwegian top-flight side SK Brann to become head coach James Morrison's sixth major signing of the summer.

Myhre brings experience of playing in the Europa League, helping Brann reach the knockout stages of the competition last season and has also featured in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League and Europa Conference League.

He has been linked with the move to Albion for a few weeks and said conversations with Morrison gave him a "really good vision for the club", external and that he saw a "lot of potential" with the squad.

Myhre will join his Norway - and former Brann - team-mate Aune Heggebo, at The Hawthorns and follows forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan, defender Conor Townsend, goalkeeper Matt Ingram and striker Barney Stewart in signing for the new season.

Former Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington, 19, also joined the club's youth set-up in June.

Remember, this is your West Bromwich Albion page so bookmark it, or if you're on the BBC Sport app or signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' to add it to your MySport and get more news, analysis, stats and fan views - and also select the bell icon in the app to sign up for club notifications.

West Brom are keen on SK Brann's Norwegian midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, 27, who is valued at about £2.5m. (Bergens Tidende - in Norwegian, subscription required, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

West Brom have agreed a deal to sign French right-back Nolan Galves, 23, from Ligue 2 side Rodez. (Sacha Tavolieri, external)

The Baggies and QPR are in a race to sign Oxford United's 22-year-old Northern Ireland defender Brodie Spencer. (FootballLeagueWorld, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Harry Whitwell says he is open to being loaned out this season to gain more experience.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of the 2025-26 campaign with National League side Forest Green Rovers, where he made 26 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.

But he was recalled by Albion in January to bolster the squad and played 88 minutes across four appearances in the Championship and FA Cup.

Whitwell scored for West Brom in a 4-1 pre-season friendly win at League Two side Shrewsbury Town on Saturday and said his aim was to "play more men's football".

"I think [my goal] is to get more matches in the league, whether that's with West Brom or if I have to go on loan, that will be discussed," he told BBC Radio WM.

"I had a taste of it at Forest Green last season and I loved it. I think if I was to go out on loan, the next step would be to try and get into the EFL."

Whitwell also said he had "really enjoyed" being involved with the Baggies in pre-season and that it could only help improve his game "technically and physically".

"I feel like I'm trying to give myself the best foot forward to the season, wherever that may lead," Whitwell added.

"I'm just trying to grab the opportunity they're giving me and see what happens."

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West Brom and Southampton have both reached an agreement with Ligue 2 club Rodez AF for French right-back Nolan Galves and it is now up to the 22-year-old to decide who he wants to join. (Express and Star), external

Wrexham and Stoke City have joined the clubs showing interest in Crystal Palace's English full-back Danny Imray after the 22-year-old spent last season on loan at West Brom, who also want to re-sign him. (Mail), external

For more EFL transfer rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

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West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston is set to play his first game for five months on Saturday.

The 27-year-old sustained a stress fracture in his ankle during a 2-1 defeat by Oxford United in the Championship in February.

Johnston will play in a behind-closed-doors friendly for a Baggies XI against League One side Notts County on Saturday.

Albion boss James Morrison will take a separate team to face League Two club Shrewsbury Town later the same day.

Morrison said he arranged the extra match against Notts County to give his players more game time in pre-season.

"We will split the squad into two teams, making sure everyone gets the minutes they need," he told the club website., external

BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon breaks down the ins and outs at West Bromwich Albion this summer and how it is all building towards a lower cost, youthful forward line.

Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here

Explore more West Bromwich Albion content on BBC Sounds

West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison is still building his squad before his first full campaign as a senior head coach, so what more does he need to be a success and what are the expectations for the club this season?

BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon and Chris Hall from the Albion Analysis podcast dive in as they look ahead to the 2026-27 season for the Baggies.

Listen to the full preview below or on BBC Sounds here

Explore more West Bromwich Albion content on BBC Sounds

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM's West Bromwich Albion reporter

As you might have seen, Daryl Dike has posted a farewell message to Albion fans on social media.

The post, external is his first public words since the American striker was released at the end of last season.

His time at the club was marred by numerous injuries, which is why he was reduced to just 68 appearances after signing for around £7m from Orlando City in January 2022.

It was then-boss Val Ismael who pushed for the signing after working with him during a loan spell at Barnsley.

He scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the South Yorkshire side but, as we know, he was unable to replicate that form at Albion.

His first big injury was a hamstring one on his first start for the club at Peterborough.

He did get fit for the start of the 2022-23 campaign and had scored seven goals in 25 appearances until he suffered that first torn Achilles injury.

That kept him out for nine months but he scored on his return in the FA Cup third round against Aldershot in January 2024.

Just a month later against Ipswich it was heart-breaking to see when he was being carried off on a golf cart by the medical team and Dike would open up later on about the mental struggle during his latest spell on the sidelines that would keep him out for a full year.

He didn't start the final game of the 2024-25 season when then-interim boss James Morrison showed faith in him by starting him against Luton and he scored in a 5-3 victory.

Unfortunately a thigh injury then occurred in the following pre-season, which kept him out again.

He would return in October, but he was given limited minutes by Ryan Mason and then Eric Ramsay. So once again, step forward Morrison.

Dike's minutes increased and that faith paid off when the 26-year-old scored at Preston in April. And it was one of the moments of the season.

He scored in the next match - a win over Watford at The Hawthorns - and, pre-points deduction, it was actually the result that made the Baggies safe from relegation on that night.

But it was to be his last goal. Eleven in total over the four and a half years.

I did get a chance to speak to him, very briefly, after the final game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

I just wished him well and I said farewell in case he was to be released and that was the case - it was announced by the club a few weeks later.

It is a shame, genuinely, because he was a guy who despite the mental struggles of all the injuries, public facing, he kept a smile on his face.

He was a very bright and bubbly lad and I think for someone who played so little because of those injuries, I don't think there's been a player that's had so many well wishes and so many positive thoughts.

But it was a case of what could have been for Daryl Dike and with Albion understood to be planning for life without Josh Maja and Karlan Grant as well, their contracts expiring this summer, it is set to be a virtually new forward line for the new season under now-permanent boss Morrison.

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St Mirren have bought former Celtic trainee Eseosa Sule from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.

The Glasgow-born 20-year-old forward, who also spent a short time on loan to Motherwell, has signed a three-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

St Mirren manager Craig McLeish told his club website: "We had been speaking West Brom about a loan initially, but when the chance came to do a permanent deal, we were really excited about it because the more permanent deals that we can do and develop our squad for the future, the better.

"Eseosa came up on loan to Motherwell last year and was unfortunate that he picked up an injury and had to head back down the road without really featuring much.

"But he's one that we're excited about because it gives us the bit that we're looking for where he can stretch defences. He gives us a real threat and speed in behind.

"He's one that we hope can contribute from day one, but he's also one that is for us future planning as well with the age he's at."

Having started as a teenager with Celtic, Sule signed a professional contract with West Brom in May 2023 and made his first-team debut as a substitute for the Championship side the following August.

Joining Motherwell on loan last season, he returned south after just one start and two substitute appearances following injury and would go on to make just one more game as a sub for West Brom in April but scored 19 goals in 54 games for their under-21s.

Eseosa added: "This was always on my mind to come to a team and be number nine at a club. That's amazing to me, so it was a no-brainer.

"I feel like this is the perfect place for my career.

"I see myself bringing athleticism, pace, goals and energy. Also, I'm a winner, so I want to win games.

"Even though I had just a small taste of it before, I feel like it's a league where I can really do well."