What Shilen Patel has said about West Brom’s financial situation – he has made it so clear | OneFootball

West Brom controlling shareholder Shilen Patel has spoken openly about the club’s latest financial situation.

West Brom controlling shareholder Shilen Patel has revealed that the club will have to once again be shrewd in its summer recruitment as they battle ongoing financial issues.

Ever since Patel took control of the club, the American businessman has worked in conjunction with the EFL to ensure that Albion haven't broken PSR rules.

The club recently released it’s accounts detailing a loss of £33.9 million between July 2023 and June 2024, the first figures without the receiving of parachute payments from the Premier League since 2002.

Having to navigate such testing financial waters, the Black Country outfit have been unable to splash the cash as what Patel would have wanted, but his smart handling of the situation has ensured the club haven’t been awarded points deductions or fines by the EFL.

Throughout his time at the club so far, Patel has been very open to supporters over the latest ongoings, and he has provided an update about their financial position heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

Shilen Patel reveals West Brom financial stance

Penning an open letter to West Brom supporters, controlling shareholder and chairman Shilen Patel has warned that Albion must still be “pragmatic” and “resourceful” during the summer transfer window, as PSR concerns continue to loom over the outfit.

Patel said: “The realities of P&S aren’t going away just yet, and its existence will necessarily govern our approach to the summer. Our three-year P&S rolling average calculation will no longer include the slight profit of 22/23, leaving us with a challenge similar in magnitude to last year’s.

“Every summer will require us to be prepared for the departure of players and the recruitment of well-vetted talents to succeed them; this summer, we will once again have to be pragmatic, adaptable, and resourceful and consider factors beyond our simple preferences in player trading.

“We are hopeful and equipped for a future in which English football adopts the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) regulatory model seen across Europe and already observed by Premier League teams in UEFA competition, and we support the proposals the EFL has endorsed to invigorate the football pyramid and strengthen an industry that enhances and celebrates every corner of the United Kingdom.”

Shilen Patel admission could spell the end for players like Tom Fellows

As Shilen Patel outlined, the Baggies will have to sell players in order to continue building a competitive squad for Ryan Mason, and one player who will bring the most value is wideman Tom Fellows.

Premier League outfit Everton have been relentlessly linked with the England U21 international, who registered a sensational 14 assists last season. TeamTalk recently revealed that the Toffees will pursue a move again this summer.

If the Baggies are to prosper financially, then cutting ties with the academy graduate, who could secure a fee upwards of £15 million, seems like the right thing to do, as it will protect the future of the club as well as help build towards a promotion push with further additions.

Selling someone like Fellows could see the club get a deal for Bournemouth’s David Brooks over the line, while the remaining funds could be spent on various positions to help produce a stronger squad to help deal with the relentless 46-game campaign.