Harry Darling signs: How West Brom’s perfect summer transfer window would look | OneFootball

FLW lists players West Brom should go all out to buy in the summer transfer window to help aid a promotion push.

West Brom will be making early preparations for a fifth consecutive Championship season after failing to make the play-offs.

The Baggies were in the driving seat to seal a place inside the top six, but a run of five defeats from their last six league outings condemned Albion to a ninth-placed finish, with the Baggies finishing their final two games of the campaign under interim boss and club icon James Morrison.

It is set to be a summer of change at The Hawthorns, with the likes of John Swift, Grady Diangana and Semi Ajayi departing the club, while a new manager still needs appointing and fresh faces must arrive in order to push towards the top end of the second tier table for the 2025-26 campaign.

It’s a crucial period for the Baggies as they look to put the disappointment of this term behind them, with Albion now competing against the likes of Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City for a place back in the big time.

Here at Football League World, we list the players West Brom should target to have a perfect summer transfer window.

Harry Darling

One area Albion must improve on is finding a partner for Torbjorn Heggem after Kyle Bartley seemingly ran out of steam during the final run-in, while Semi Ajayi exited the club.

At the age of 34, Bartley could be resigned to being more of a bit-part player if West Brom secure a new central defender signing, and current Swansea City man Harry Darling should be high on their agenda heading into the summer window.

The Swans club captain looks likely to move on from South Wales on a free transfer despite Swansea’s best efforts to tie him down to a new deal, which would be a cheap move for Albion to pursue as they still work around constricted financial resources.

Darling has been an ever-present figure since joining Swansea from MK Dons and possesses vital Championship experience that could see him blossom in a blue and white shirt.

While competition will be hefty for his signature, the Baggies could be a more resolute defence with Darling joining, and he appears to be a logical signing for West Brom to target.

James Penrice

Despite Callum Styles playing the majority of Albion’s season at left-back, the club must look at targeting a replacement given the Hungarian's preferred position is in central midfield, while Gianluca Frabotta failed to start a single league match all term.

The Baggies have been linked with a swoop for Hearts left-back James Penrice, who has had a magnificent season in Scotland, securing a place in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year.

Registering two goals and four assists from 30 league appearances, the Scotsman appears to be a full-back who thrives on getting into attacking positions and being an alternative creative outlet to benefit the forward line.

This saga could be one to watch as the summer transfer window plays out as Albion aim to bolster their ranks.

Fabio Carvalho

Rounding off the list of summer additions is current Brentford man Fabio Carvalho, who has struggled to make a name for himself so far under Thomas Frank.

After eye-catching displays at Hull City that saw him record nine goals and two assists in the second half of the 2023-24 season, the Bees captured the attacking midfielder on a permanent deal from Liverpool, but Carvalho has suffered from injuries and, as a result, a lack of game time.

Featuring just 19 times and earning only 445 minutes, a loan move could be on the cards for the Portuguese playmaker to restore his confidence, and with the Baggies desperately lacking a creative central presence to find the back of the net on a regular basis, it could be a deal that could suit both parties.