"Not convinced" - West Brom urged to steer clear of ex-Leeds United player | OneFootball

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…

Ever since his appointment in October 2022, the highly-rated Spanish head coach, Carlos Corberan, has largely had access to limited funds in the transfer market, leaving him to work miracles on a shoestring budget.

Times are now changing in this corner of the West Midlands, as the Baggies embark on their maiden transfer window under new owner, Shilen Patel, who acquired an 87.8% stake in the club back in February.

On top of Corberan's tactical nouse, which led Albion to a fifth-place finish last season in the Championship - before being defeated 3-0 by eventual play-off winners Southampton - the potential financial backing will no doubt see the club feature among the front-runners in next season's promotion race.

However, reports suggest that those savvy dealings which Corberan has become notorious for could continue this summer.

West Brom fan pundit issues verdict amid links with ex-Leeds United winger

That's because West Brom are said to be in a race to acquire the services of Colombian winger Ian Poveda on a free transfer, following his release from fellow second tier side, Leeds United.

Poveda's time at Elland Road didn't go exactly as first planned, having initially signed under Marcelo Bielsa in the winter of 2020, at a time when Corberan was part of the Uruguayan's coaching setup in West Yorkshire, before he departed to join Huddersfield Town as head coach.

Regardless of these pre-established connections, Football League World's West Brom fan pundit, Matt Smith, believes that there will be better options available in the transfer market.

"Would Poveda be a good signing? I'm not sure he's the standard of player we should be looking at," he began.

"I suppose on a free transfer, it's a bit less risky than if there was a fee involved. But, I'm just not convinced he's the calibre that we could and should be aiming for."

"Is he an upgrade on someone like Matt Phillips? In my opinion, probably not," Smith claimed. "He's had what? half a good season at Sheffield Wednesday."

"We'll have to wait and see. It wouldn't totally inspire me, but on a free, as squad depth, I suppose. Surely it couldn't end up as a disaster at the same time."

The fan pundit concluded: "It doesn't inspire me. We should be aiming for better, but it wouldn't be the end of the world either. But at the same time, is he an upgrade on what we have or had last year, I wouldn't say so."

The race to sign Ian Poveda

As previously highlighted, West Brom are among an array of Championship outfits said to be in the race to snap up the 24-year-old on a free transfer, according to journalist, Darren Witcoop.

Witcoop's recent report states that Albion are in a four-way battle alongside Cardiff City, Luton Town - freshly relegated from the Premier League - and Sheffield Wednesday, where Poveda's form was somewhat resurrected under Danny Rohl despite only featuring on 10 occasions.

Furthermore, it has since been revealed by the Sheffield Star that the Owls have initiated contact between themselves and Poveda, alongside fellow loanees James Beadle and Ike Ugbo, to strike deals which would see the trio return to S6 after contributing to Wednesday's miraculous escape act.

Referring back to Smith's statement, perhaps there is a sense that Albion could be aiming for flashier targets given their ambition, such as striking a deal to re-sign the influential Mikey Johnston, although Football Insider claim that Celtic will demand a fee upwards of £6m.

Matt Phillips played 26 times last season before his departure was confirmed via the club's 'Retained List' at the end of last month, meaning that reinforcements out wide will be needed, regardless of whether they earn a starting berth or not.

The transition the club have undergone since Corberan's arrival nearly two years ago means that the 41-year-old should have the full trust of every Baggies supporter when it comes to recruitment, and having worked with Poveda at Elland Road - albeit four years ago - he is clearly aware of what the winger can bring to the table.

Poveda is in need of regular football, and whilst that may not be guaranteed at The Hawthorns, from the club's point of view, it represents a low-risk acquisition.