The Championship is super competitive this season, with teams neck and neck in the standings. Despite off-field troubles and financial constraints, West Bromwich Albion is holding their own on the pitch. But a takeover before January could give them the edge they need to secure a play-off spot for promotion.
The Championship is always a tough league, and this season is no exception. Apart from a few standout teams like Leicester City and Ipswich Town, who are dominating the automatic promotion spots, the rest of the division is wide open. From Leeds United in third place to Blackburn Rovers in 11th, there’s only a three-point difference. Even Huddersfield Town in 21st place is just eight points away from their West Yorkshire rivals.
Surprisingly, West Bromwich Albion is one of the top six teams in the league despite their off-field troubles. They’re quietly going about their business on the pitch, proving that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
However, the club’s financial situation is far from ideal. With the Premier League parachute payments running out, West Brom is strapped for cash. Their owner, Guochuan Lai, is nowhere to be found, and the club had to sell defender Dara O’Shea to Burnley to balance the books. There has been interest in other players like John Swift, Jed Wallace, and Brandon Thomas-Asante, but the club has resisted selling them.
Head coach Carlos Corberan was only allowed to make three new signings this summer due to the lack of funds. The club had to take out a £20 million loan from MSD Holdings to cover their expenses. It’s clear that a takeover is desperately needed.
Fortunately, there are interested parties looking to buy the club. Chinese businessman Lai, who purchased Albion in 2016, is willing to sell, and club director Xu Ke is leading the process. Consortiums from the United States and the Middle East have expressed their interest in a potential takeover. However, if a deal isn’t finalized by the start of 2024, Corberan risks losing some of his best players to raise funds.
So, does West Brom need a takeover before January to have a shot at the play-offs? Absolutely. Despite their current position in the Championship table, the club is facing some obvious challenges. With the January transfer window approaching, other clubs could swoop in and snatch their key players. That’s why Carlton Palmer, a former West Brom player and England international, believes that a takeover is crucial for the club’s success.
Palmer stated, “West Bromwich Albion has had a solid start to the season, currently sitting in sixth place, just two points behind Leeds United in third. If the club’s takeover can be completed before the January transfer market, it would give them a massive boost in their quest for promotion. While I still think Leeds and Leicester will secure automatic promotion, adding to the squad in January could help West Brom secure a play-off spot. And we all know how unpredictable the play-offs can be, so they would have as good a chance as anyone who secures a play-off spot.”