New Shilen Patel, West Brom claim surely raises fear that £6k-a-week star leaves The Hawthorns | OneFootball

The Baggies' owner has come out and confirmed the need for a shrewd transfer window once again

West Brom are set to embark on their fifth straight season in the Championship in 2025/26, which is the longest they've spent outside the top flight since their Premier League promotion in 2002.

West Brom made the play-offs in the 2023/24 campaign, but after failing to be promoted that year, the Baggies had to be restricted by an EFL business plan as their three-year Premier League parachute payment period had ended.

In order to remain competitive and within the EFL's financial guidelines, owner Shilen Patel, who bought 87.8% of the club in February, had to sell players. Brandon Thomas-Asante, Alex Palmer, and Okay Yokuslu all moved on last summer for fees, whilst the likes of Cedric Kipre and Matt Phillips left on free transfers to lessen the wage bill.

And, after once again missing out on promotion last season, Patel stated that the club faces "a challenge similar in magnitude to last year" when it comes to staying on the good side of the Profit and Sustainability laws.

Therefore, West Brom fans need to brace themselves for more outgoings. One name at the top of many other sides' shopping lists this summer will be Tom Fellows, last season's Championship top assister.

Profit and Sustainability challenges may see the end of popular academy graduate at West Brom

In his open letter to West Brom fans, owner Shilen Patel said that "the realities of P&S aren't going away just yet, and its existence will necessarily govern our approach to the summer".

West Brom went into last season with the highest payroll out of any Championship club not in receipt of parachute payments, and therefore had to sell players to reduce the wage bill and keep them below the financial danger line.

This season will be no different, as the three-year window under which the EFL guidelines fall will now discount the 2022/23 season, where Patel's letter states that the club made a slight profit.

So, West Brom will need to sell and reduce the wage bill yet again to remain competitive, and interest in Tom Fellows may end up being capitalised on.

Per Capology, Fellows' estimated weekly wage at West Brom only amounts to £6,000 per week, which is among the lowest at the club, but whilst his wage may not represent a huge chunk of the overall bill, the potential of the winger, who is currently part of the England U21 squad who have reached the final of the U21 European Championships, means that Albion could stand to receive a large transfer fee for their academy graduate, which would equally benefit their financial standing.

The Baggies took a step back in terms of league performances last season, but the emergence of Fellows as a regular starter after playing a bit-part role in the 2023/24 campaign was a breath of fresh air at the Hawthorns.

His 14 Championship assists saw him share top spot with Josh Murphy, and those numbers are obviously attracting interest from sides in the Premier League, most notably Everton.

The Toffees are said to be renewing their interest in the 21-year-old, according to TEAMtalk, after the two sides failed to agree on a deal in January.

The report states that David Moyes' side could part ways with £10 million for Fellows, an amount which could help West Brom massively regarding their financial standings ahead of next season.

Selling Tom Fellows may be necessary for West Brom to stay competitive

It may hurt West Brom fans to see Tom Fellows leave this summer, as the England U21 international has clear potential to be one of the Championship's best players next season

If the club were to try to keep the exciting winger at The Hawthorns heading into next season, they may need to increase his current £6,000 per week estimated wage, which may be financially untenable, and a sale may be more beneficial when looking at the bigger picture.

Given Fellows came through the West Brom academy, any fee that the Baggies receive will stand as a hefty profit, which will loosen the chains on their spending this summer.

Losing the 21-year-old star would be a huge blow, but it would allow Ryan Mason to reinvest in a few different positions and ultimately make his side more competitive across the board as he looks to get West Brom back into the Premier League.

And given the financial reward that the top-flight brings, the Baggies will be desperate to return there sooner rather than later, as they look to avoid falling into the mid-table vortex of the Championship, which has claimed so many former Premier League sides over time.