A Mowatt repeat: West Brom in the race to sign “incredible” EFL star
One of West Bromwich Albion’s top performers in the 2024/25 campaign was experienced central midfielder Alex Mowatt, who caught the eye in the middle of the park.
The 30-year-old maestro started 39 games in the Championship and contributed with seven goals, five ‘big chances’ created, and two assists for the Baggies.
Mowatt is a great example of the kind of proven quality that you can get by signing experienced Championship performers, as they signed him off the back of spells with Leeds United and Barnsley.
West Brom could, now, repeat that trick by signing another central midfielder who is well-versed in the second tier of English football, if a fresh report is to be believed.
West Brom eyeing swoop for Championship star
According to a TEAMtalk reporter, West Bromwich Albion are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan, as Ryan Mason looks to improve his squad.
The journalist claims that fellow Championship teams Stoke City and Wrexham, who have been promoted from League One, are also eyeing up the Scottish maestro to bolster their own midfield set-ups.
Bannan’s contract with the Owls is due to expire at the end of this month, which means that the veteran midfielder is set to be available on a free transfer.
West Brom are seemingly in the race to land him on a free transfer, alongside Stoke and Wrexham, and they could repeat their Mowatt masterclass by winning this race.
Why West Brom should sign Barry Bannan
Bannan would arrive at The Hawthorns as one of the most experienced players in the division, with 374 appearances in the second tier in his career to date.
The 35-year-old star, who was hailed as an “incredible” character by teammate Josh Windass, has been there and done it in the Championship, which means that he could hit the ground running in the Midlands, as Mowatt did.
Bannan is also a midfielder who can provide similar qualities to Mowatt at the top end of the pitch, as he has the ability to offer goals and assists from the middle of the park.
The Scottish veteran ended the 2024/25 campaign with a haul of four goals and five assists in the Championship, having managed 28 assists in the previous three seasons combined.
As you can see in the table above, Bannan ranked very highly among his positional peers in the division in a host of key possession and attacking-based metrics, particularly when it came to creating chances for his teammates.
These statistics show that the Sheffield Wednesday ace still has plenty to offer at the age of 35, as he can make things happen with the ball at his feet as a passer.
Therefore, Bannan could be a shrewd addition to the squad on a short-term contract, possibly for one season, as an experienced player who can hit the ground running.
His experience in the Championship suggests that he would almost be guaranteed to be a smart signing for the Baggies, who would know exactly what are getting from him, as was the case when they signed Mowatt from Barnsley.
