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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to two reports from Football Insider, West Brom are fielding interest for Matt Phillips from Aston Villa, as well as Sheffield United and Brighton.
What’s the word?
West Brom have already lost two major players in the summer transfer window as they waved farewell to Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez.
They’ve also been subjected to seeing academy prospects Louie Barry and Morgan Rogers walk through the exit door too.
However, after bringing in five new bodies, outgoings at Albion had seemed to have quietened down.
But with the new season now fast approaching, Phillips has also been linked with a move away.
Football Insider suggests that Aston Villa are interested in the winger whilst the same publication states there is a further attraction from Brighton and Sheffield United.
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Baggies must avoid past mistakes
Phillips is now heading into the final year of his deal at West Brom and if he’s unwilling to agree to new terms then Albion must cash in.
The 28-year-old was one of their star players in 2018/19, particularly in the first half of the season before picking up an injury that wreaked havoc with his playing time.
He netted five times whilst also laying on seven assists but the fact of the matter is, the Baggies must learn from past mistakes.
Over the last few years they’ve had to see some of their best players leave for cut-price deals after previously rejecting hefty bids.
In 2017, they fended off a colossal £25m bid for Jonny Evans from Leicester before selling him for £3.5m to the same team just a year later.
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Meanwhile, last summer they were looking at receiving over £20m for both Dawson and Rodriguez. They rejected a combined £25m offer from Burnley before selling the pair for £5.5m and £10m respectively this year.
Therefore, Albion must take whatever funds they can get from Phillips before they risk losing him for free next summer and regretting yet another blunder.
West Brom have been naive in the transfer market before but on this occasion, there would be far worse decisions than biting the bullet on their 6 foot 1 midfielder. Though, if he does sign a new contract, it could be a very different story.
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