"I’d be a bit reluctant" - West Brom doubts cast over potential Barnsley swap deal | OneFootball

The Baggies are said to be considering offering striker Mo Faal in a deal to bring the Hungarian international to the Hawthorns

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Bromwich Albion seem keen to get a deal for Callum Styles over the line before the transfer window comes to a close next week.

The Baggies are reportedly keen admirers of the Barnsley man, and are said to be prepared to offer young striker Modou Faal as a makeweight in any deal to try to bring the Hungarian international to the club before the end of August, according to Alan Nixon.

Faal is a player who has proven himself to be a talented marksman during his loan spells with AFC Fylde and Doncaster Rovers over the past two seasons, and netted in Albion’s 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup last week.

But with the likes of Josh Maja and Devante Cole ahead of him in the pecking order under Carlos Corberan, there could be an exit in sight for the 21-year-old in the near future.

West Bromwich Albion propose Callum Styles, Mo Faal swap deal with Barnsley

Albion have been chasing Styles for a number of weeks now, with Sky Sports reporting earlier this month that Barnsley had rejected a deal for their midfielder.

Having spent the second-half of last season on loan at Sunderland, the 24-year-old could be set for a return to the Championship in the coming days, with Albion said to be prepared to offer Faal as part of the deal.

The Baggies aren’t a side absolutely blessed with much financial clout at this moment in time, so offering a player as part of the deal makes sense.

FLW's West Brom fan pundit Matt Smith though believes that the club could end up regretting letting Faal go permanently, given the potential he still has to make a name for himself.

Smith told Football League World: “The swap deal for Mo Faal and Callum Styles is probably one that makes sense, although I’m sure we would have to stump up some cash as well.

“I’m not sure whether Faal will make it at Championship level, but I don’t want to make a judgment to be honest because he’s had one start for Albion and scored in the cup at Fleetwood.

“He’s done well in League Two, so a League One makes sense, and if he does well in League One who is to say that he can’t make it at the Albion?

“He’s a big striker, he’s a bit raw and I’m not sure about his first touch, but he can also score goals. He’s proven that at Fleetwood the other day, and the loan spells he’s had so far in non-league and in the EFL.”

Barnsley swap deal makes sense financially for West Bromwich Albion

West Brom aren’t a side flush with cash at this moment in time, with the club put under an EFL-imposed business plan which limits their transfer activity in this window.

That has limited their ability to sign players for much money in the past few months, with the club relying on a number of free transfers as they look to bolster their squad.

As a result of that, Smith believes offering Faal could be a shrewd bit of negotiation to get a top quality player in before the transfer window shuts next week, although he still has his concerns.

“Daryl Dike is obviously crocked, and I genuinely think Mo Faal is our third-choice striker, and therefore can we afford to get rid of him? I don’t think we can.

“But would having Callum Styles in the long run be better than having Mo Faal? Probably.

“Having Styles as a player who can come in and make an immediate impact while Faal is someone who is on the fringes, it probably makes sense to have Styles. “Maybe I’d be a bit more hesitant until we can guarantee that we’re getting another striker in, but it makes sense on the whole I think.

“Not to say Faal isn’t going to make it at Championship level, I’m not putting any doubt on his ability to succeed at this level, it’s just from a business point of view it does make sense.”