Kev: Kieran may not be Prem class
ALBION legend Kevin Phillips has questioned whether Kieran Gibbs will manage the step back up to the Premier League.
Gibbs has plenty of top-flight pedigree, coming through at Arsenal and making 137 league appearances before moving to
West Brom in 2017.
The full-back played in the Premier League with the Baggies but, at the age of 30 and with injury issues, it might not be so easy to acclimatise this time.
“I think it might be a bit of a struggle for him,’’ said Phillips. “Would he play week in, week out?
“If (Albion head coach) Slaven (Bilic) can get another player off the wage bill then that frees up a bit of money to go and buy a striker. It wouldn’t surprise me if Kieran moved on.”
Gibbs is under contract for another year, meaning West Brom would need to tie him down to a new deal or sell to avoid losing him for free next summer.
The 30-year-old made just 14 league appearances for the Baggies last season, mostly down to injury issues.
Meanwhile, Albion’s hopes of landing Brighton defender Shane Duffy look to have received a major boost.
It emerged over the weekend that their chances of landing the Republic of Ireland centre-back were slim with interest in Brighton’s Ben White ramping up and the Seagulls only prepared to allow one defender to leave.
However, sources now claim Duffy will be shown the door with Brighton refusing to part with talented prospect Ben White, who won promotion with Leeds last season.
West Brom are understood to have already held talks with Duffy over a possible move. However, West Ham are also interested in the player.